Page 29 - Laguna Blanca Magazine Summer 2018

MILES MCGOVERN

Christian, as he teamed up with classmate
Aidan O’Donnell ’18 for a stop on fourth
down to seal the upset.
“He had the mental toughness to stay on
the field for an entire game for us. He played
offense, defense, and special teams,” says
Lopes. “His endurance was exceptional
and he showed up to more pre-7 a.m. workouts
than anyone else.”
On the volleyball court, he served the
2018 varsity team as a middle blocker. With
numerous teammates above 6 feet tall, the 5
foot, 10 inch McGovern played the position
anyway, which is usually reserved for the tallest
players.
“He works so hard and is naturally athletic.
He can really jump, which makes him a good
middle,” says teammate Spencer Rycroft ’18.
“Even though he’s not loud, he definitely leads
by being disciplined and not messing around.”
These thoughts were echoed in a yearbook
What makes Miles McGovern ’18 stand Hope Ranch campus as a freshman. Coaches survey for the 2018 edition of La Honda which
out the most could be found on a slip of paper saw the raw ability that he possessed and asked the team who they would want at the
he filled out before the start of the 2017 Laguna knew that he would make an impact in any service line in a nail-biting situation. McGovern
Blanca football season. sport he tried. Unsurprisingly, he ended up as was the most repeated response with answers
Team captains are selected for the team a key member of CIF-Finalist teams in both like, “Definitely Miles because he is always so
by vote, with each player putting down three volleyball and football. composed and I know he would be able to
names. They may include their own names on His journey on the gridiron began late, as keep his serve in” and “Miles because he’s our
the list. it took some convincing to get McGovern’s captain and we all trust him.”
McGovern, the physically strongest member parents to allow him to play. They relented after Always willing to try something new, he
of the team, was the only player to receive a conversation with Lopes before their son’s went out for soccer as a senior and was a
votes from others and not nominate himself. sophomore year. strong defender on a very talented Owls team.
“He is incredibly humble. It was never “Once they got to know Coach Lopes, it “Practices were always super fun, and it was
about him as an individual—which is an ideal was a real game-changer. They saw what a definitely a humbling experience to be around a
characteristic of a team captain. I reminded him great guy he is and realized that I was in good lot of talented and experienced players,” Miles
that he could vote for himself and he asked, hands,” says the senior, who hopes to play says.
’Why would I vote for myself?’” recalls coach club beach volleyball at Southern Methodist Coach Lopes remarks that SMU is adding
Shane Lopes. University next year. a very mature and steady young man to
McGovern’s humility and quiet nature The crowning moment of his football career its student body. “Miles is very wise for his
cannot mask his athleticism, which was occurred in the waning moments of the 2017 age, and when he speaks, people listen,” he
apparent the moment he stepped onto the CIF Semifinals against No. 1-ranked Hesperia explains. “Even though he doesn’t speak very SUMMER 2018
often, he has insightful words to share.”

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