Gean Mendez is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Arizona College Prep High School for AZPreps365.com

Troubled with injuries, Dylan Wolfswinkel, an Arizona College Prep Knights high school senior, plays varsity football in the safety position. He has been playing on a torn labrum this season which has affected him in many different ways, although this is not the first time he has been injured. 

Entering his freshman year, he fractured his leg and could not play; in his sophomore year, he tore his labrum as well as his junior year. “The injuries have affected me physically and mentally, and it has been a mental game at that point, and I have been trying to overcome that,” Wolfswinkel said. 

His injuries have been affecting his playing time, and he has played in three games since the start of the season. 

“He fights through it. I haven't seen it affect him when he's talking to me or when he is on the field. I never see him hesitate; it inspires me whenever I’ve given up or having a hard time,” said Bryce Vaught, cornerback for the Knights and close friend.

Statistically, Wolfswinkel has put up seven total tackles in three games, although he does more on the field than stats say. 

“He is a really smart football player; his IQ is a big thing, and he is pretty vocal; especially in his position, he leads the safeties,” said Tyce Turner, the Knights defensive tackle. 

“Based on culture, he is always one of those guys who is out there always smiling; he is always trying to cheer people up. Just as a culture, it has been a little less without him on the field" said Michael Richards, the Knights guard/center.  

It has been shown how Wolfswinkel is with his teammates and what he brings to the team on the field. He is a crucial part of the defense and has continued to show who he is. 

Head Coach Steven Vaught explained Wolfwinkel's mentality over the years of the injuries. “Dylan has shown his resilience because those are three pretty horrific injuries, so just having one of those is bad enough, so for him to have a string of three of them like this, it just shows how resilient he is,” Vaught said.  

Although the injuries have taken a toll on him, especially his torn labrum, Vaught said, “For the first time I did see him go into this past season back in August, is the first time I saw it weigh on him, but he was resilient enough to work through it because he was very frustrated that he wasn't able to play.”  

It has been tough for Wolfswinkel through the years, although he has had someone who has always been there for him. 

“My mom really has pushed me through all of this. I contemplated quitting at one point cause I just thought it was so hard. She kept on pushing me to go, pushed me through physical therapy, and pushed me to make myself better, and now I’m here,” Wolfswinkel said. 

Wolfswinkel is an athlete who can push through diversity and is resilient. He is devoted to his team and wants to do everything in his power to get on the field again. Nothing can stop him, not even his torn labrum. 

“I’ll be ready to play; I’ll play until it falls off,” Wolfswinkel said.