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10/06/2023 04:38 PMOften in athletics, it is the moments of effort and work put forth when the focus is off an athlete that mean the most. It has certainly been the case for Owen Preskar, as he has garnered great recognition from his peers within the Hand football program.
The Tigers’ senior captain and wide receiver played football from a young age under the tutelage and coaching of his father and uncle, both of whom played the game collegiately. While he has also played baseball, basketball, and lacrosse along the way, Owen moved his way up the ranks to a captain’s role this year and has helped guide Hand to a 2-1 start on the campaign this fall on the gridiron. In his opening trio of contests in 2023, Owen has 10 catches for 155 yards and three TDs.
“I just love the bonds created from football. I have played with all of my best friends since I could remember, and we all stuck with it through the years,” says Owen, who also doubles as a punter and kick returner on special teams. “I just have been putting in hard work both in and out of season. I have been working a lot with our quarterbacks. We have been doing things together all through high school, whether it is just throwing the ball or doing drills. The coaches have also done a great job preparing us for games.”
As one might expect from a wideout, Owen relishes in the splash plays by making his perfect stride down the sideline and over the middle. It can be taxing on the mind by being a pivotal piece of the offense, but it is all worth it when he reels in the highlight catch for six.
“I love catching a long pass, and I love running the post route,” Owen says. “Anytime we run the post, we just hit it. It is an unbelievable and indescribable feeling making that type of catch. Being a receiver has been physically demanding on my body, especially with being involved in the offense more as a senior, but I just keep pushing.”
Emerging into the varsity equation as a sophomore, Owen garnered valuable lessons as an understudy to former Tigers’ greats–leading the way to him making an impeccable impact as a captain in his send-off season, both on the gridiron and all throughout the town.
“My sophomore year, I was fortunate enough to start on varsity with the best team surrounding me. Seth Sweitzer taught me so much, and I could not be more thankful,” says Owen. “Being captain is an amazing honor and accomplishment. I do not take it for granted and know I have to trust my teammates the same way they trust me. Being captain is also about being a leader in the community. The captains spoke with our athletic director, and on Friday, Oct. 27, our game is in partnership with the NFL, called Crucial Catch, and will be a really special night with a great game to raise money and awareness for cancer research.”
Owen has his sights set on following in his father and uncle’s footsteps by staying lined up in the slot on Saturdays for college, though he knows it all starts by testing his mental mettle academically with high-level courses and just putting in the work 24/7, both with others and in isolation.
“I am looking to play football in college. But this year I want to have the best year I can as a player and captain and continue to create bonds. I am taking harder classes this year, but I am up to the challenge,” Owen says. “Football has taught me about hard work. I have done a lot while no one is watching, and it has paid off and I feel so much better, faster, and stronger. I have also created so many bonds through the game with my teammates and coaches; it’s amazing to see.”
Hand Head Coach Erik Becker has seen the strides Owen has taken in the offseason, as he has separated himself from the pack when it comes to beating out defenses and torching opposing secondaries.
“Owen has improved dramatically. He has worked extremely hard to become bigger, faster, and stronger this season,” says Becker. “He has always been a gifted route runner with great hands. Now, he is breaking tackles and running away from defenders. He is a captain who leads by example and works hard every day. I am excited to see where he ends up at the next level.”
The Tigers have put together an entertaining start to their 2023, including a momentous 35-34 overtime road win at Fairfield Prep on Sept. 16. Yet Owen and Hand are staying grounded and humble while functioning as a cohesive ship, no matter how choppy the waters may become.
“We have an attack mindset. We must attack everything in our path,” says Owen. “We are also making sure we get in the best practices we can and to stick together as a team through the good and bad. We have the opportunity to win more games, which is great, but we have to keep pushing.”