Sure Christian Nestark had 90 tackles this season. But it wasn’t the quantity, but rather the quality that earned the senior linebacker from Grand Island the distinction as the 2007 Niagara Gazette Player of the Year.
Just ask Nestark.
“The goal was to either kill the running back or kill the quarterback every play,” he said.
And how he should be remembered?
“He hit really hard,” Nestark said of himself.
That toughness has been Nestark’s trademark during his time in the Viking program, according to coach Dean Santorio.
“He was one of the most intense and toughest kids we’ve ever had,” the coach said.
Those compliments weren’t earned easily as Nestark broke his ankle three games into his junior year and was forced into a lengthy rehabilitation process. But he never complained and in fact, that injury and the disappointment that ensued made him work that much harder.
His efforts certainly paid off as he led GI back to the playoffs in Class A and picked up several postseason honors individually.
“Just his approach and work ethic in practice is really second to none,” Santorio said. “He never had an off day. He’s all business when he’s out there.”
That same attitude has carried over into one of his new-found loves — mixed martial arts. Nestark trains out of Lockport and is intently interested in the budding sport. Still, he has a passion for football and would like to find a good fit where he could continue his career on the gridiron.
“He might have to switch to a strong safety, but I think he could definitely do it,” Santorio said.
Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, ext. 2262.
Sports
Related Photos
-
DOUG BENZ/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
November 24, 2007
CRUNCH: GI’s Nestark is the Niagara Gazette Player of the Year
- Sports
-
-
NU's Arnold wins the battle
- Wolverines shooting for a cause
- Healthy defense corps has Sabres winning again
-
Hustling Wolverines getting their swagger back
- Niagara shows no mercy
- Purple Eagles lose fourth straight game
- Wagner accumulates wins for N-W
- Devlin wins 4th NFL title
- NC’s Lowery cracks 1,000 points
- Purple Eagles hope to peak in February
- More Sports Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
