Future Duck out with shoulder injury

Craig Wright
October 11, 2012

A third degree separation of his right Acromioclavicular (AC) joint will keep Evan Voeller, senior, on the sidelines for at least four weeks. The injury will not prevent Voeller from attending University of Oregon on a football scholarship. At 6-feet-4 inches, 285 pounds, Voeller is the 179th ranked high school senior recruit in the nation according to ESPN.com and the second highest ranked player in Oregon.

As left tackle on the offensive line, Voeller made Varsity as a freshman and has started since his sophomore year. If able, Voeller will play in the Under Armour All-America game in January 2013. The Under Armour Bowl selects 90 of the top-ranked high school football players in the nation. Voeller is the second player ever selected from the state of Oregon to compete in the game.

“It’s definitely an honor to play in the game and to get to compete against other top players. I’m very excited,” Voeller said.

During a recent game against Barlow High School, Voeller was tripped and fell on his right shoulder with all of his weight. Surgery is a possibility after the season if the pain persists. If necessary, the surgery would prevent Voeller from playing until possibly August 2013. Ellis Eaton, junior, is starting in Voeller’s place.

Currently, Voeller is attending physical therapy sessions to keep his range of motion and prevent his shoulder from stiffening. Unable to participate in practices, Voeller has been helping and trying to coach.

Twelve major schools, including Washington, Nebraska, Texas A&M and Boise State offered Voeller scholarships, but family ties helped guide Voeller to Oregon. His brother played football at UofO for two years and his aunt also played softball.

“It is nice being committed and not having to worry about my injury preventing me from going where I want to go,” Voeller said. The recruiting process was relatively quick, and yes, the Oregon locker rooms are really as great as described on television according to Voeller.

Before heading off to college, Voeller and the West Linn football team have a few games remaining on the schedule. This year, the team is made up of mainly juniors.

“This year we will hopefully be pretty good, but next year we will be really good,” Voeller said. “Getting a chance to play in high school again would be great.” With the playoffs coming up, Voeller hopes to return and get another chance to play as a Lion before heading off to the Under Armour Bowl and UofO.

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About the Contributor

Craig Wright, Reporter

Whether running drills on the tennis court or jamming in his basement, Craig Wright, senior, fully commits himself to his passions. Wright has been playing tennis since he was six, when he was shorter than the net. He has been on the Boys Varsity Team all four years of high school and hopes to be captain this year. Wright is just as big of a fanatic about music as he is about tennis; he’s been to too many concerts to have a sure count; his best estimate is 34.

Wright’s interest in tennis was inherited; his dad played tennis in high school and shared his interest with Wright’s mom. His parents introduced he and his brother, Brett, to the sport and they both took to it. Last year Wright and his doubles partner, Jonathan Macemon, Class of 2012, were third in the District Championship and made it to State. In fact Wright’s favorite vacation was going South Carolina, primarily because he and his family were able to play tennis on real green clay courts.

Even though he plays tennis year round,somehow Wright has time for intramural basketball. However, according to Wright, when it comes to intramural “the less effort the better.” Another extracurricular activity that Wright participates in is Symphonic Band; he is a percussionist.

Wright’s interest in music extends beyond percussion; he has been playing guitar since sixth grade and bass guitar since eighth grade. The reason that Wright is so interested in playing instruments is that he is a huge music fan.

“I like a little bit of everything,” Wright said.

Wright’s brother introduced him to a wide variety of music, and they share many favorite bands like The Beatles, The Replacements, My Morning Jacket, Arcade Fire, Gaslight Anthem, The Ramones and The Clash. Wright idolizes many musicians and dreams of meeting them.

“Joe Strummer[The Clash] would be awesome [to meet], but he’s dead,” Wright said, “I’d like to meet Brian Fallon[The Gaslight Anthem]; he’s just a cool dude.”

Wright’s interest in the arts continues into his academic career. His favorite class is AP English, and he thinks he wants to study English or journalism in college.