Armentor not your average student-athlete

By Mike Rizzuto

Sun Times Editor

The goals of some students are to make outstanding grades, learn what they can in the classroom, and become the very best academicians that they can be.

Others strive to be the best on the football field, the basketball court, the baseball diamond or the track oval, letting their grades fall where they may in the process.

And then there are those special, unique individuals that try for perfection in the academic arena and in sports, dedicating almost all of their precious time to attempting to reach the highest levels a student-athlete can attain.

For the past four years, Lake Arthur senior Brad Armentor has been one such special student-athlete, excelling in athletics, while also maintaining a perfect 4.0 average in the classroom, leaving an impressive legacy for others to emulate.

Armentor, the 18-year-old son of Dwayne and Kim Armentor of Lake Arthur, has been a model of consistency in and out of the classrooms of Lake Arthur High School, proving that giving one’s best effort can indeed lead to magnificent achievements.

“I’ve always liked sports, but I know that my grades are very important, too,” Armentor says. “If you don’t give your best effort, whether it’s in the classroom or on the field, then you’re just cheating yourself,” he states.

Lake Arthur Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Chad Lavergne not only agrees with Armentor, but has appreciated his talent on the football field for four consecutive seasons in Tigerland.

“Brad is an intelligent young man, a hard worker, and a very good athlete,” Lavergne states. “He is also very versatile, and has helped our football team by playing where we needed him the past four years at a variety of positions.”

Armentor contributed quickly during his freshman year, showing flashes of brilliance in the defensive backfield and at the running back position. At only 5’-8” and about 160 pounds, he showed his toughness by competing against players much older, bigger, and taller, while more than holding his own in the process.

This past year, his senior season, Armentor moved out of the offensive backfield when his services were needed at tight end and he excelled at that position. But no one expected Armentor to do what he did against District 5-2A rival Vinton on Homecoming Night, as he left a lasting memory for all Tiger fans to remember.

Just when it appeared that the visiting Lions were going to spoil the 2008 Tiger Homecoming at Jack Doland Field, Armentor assumed the role of team leader and made the big play he had to make at that crucial time.

Facing a third down and five from his own 19-yard-line with about seven minutes left in the game and his team trailing 20-14, Armentor used all of his leaping ability to out-jump everyone, pulling down a “Hail Mary” pass from teammate Colby Lavergne.

Armentor then scampered desperately down the field through Lion defenders for 67 yards until he was finally tackled at the Vinton 10-yard-line.

Lake Arthur would score the go-ahead touchdown a few plays later to notch the win, but without Armentor’s catch, Homecoming 2008 could have been a very sad occasion.

“That’s something that I’ll always remember,” Armentor says. “It’s one of the biggest plays I made during my high school football career.”

Armentor also has been an integral part of Lake Arthur’s basketball and track teams during the past four years, and has his hopes set on the Tigers advancing far into the playoffs this season.

“Brad’s best attributes are his quickness and his defense,” Tiger Head Basketball Coach Roderick Williams says. “I can always count on him to provide the hustle and the spirit that we need. He’s not the type of kid that is intimidated, either. Brad plays the game as tough as anyone does.”

When graduation comes in May of next year, look for Armentor to realize that his sterling efforts in the classroom have paid huge dividends. With a perfect 4.0 average, there should be quite a few scholarships available for him to use during his college years.

“All I can do is to keep trying my best,” Armentor remarks. “That’s all anyone can do, whether it’s in the classroom, in the world of sports, or in life. Hopefully, I can make my life’s dreams into realities.”

Spoken like the true student-athlete that young Brad Armentor has been throughout his tenure at Lake Arthur High School!