What senior Casen Barker lacks in size, he makes up for in his dedication to perfection.
?It is a trait I have always had,? Barker said.
This fall, the senior tailback and inside linebacker is gearing up for one last ride with the Iola High Mustangs. Barker has been a staple for head coach David Daugharthy since starting as the Mustang quarterback and key run stopper since he was a freshman.
Although Barker has seen success on the field as a Mustang, the passion for athletics started long ago.
?My dad always told me that I when I was young I wanted to play all sports,? Barker said. ?I?ve always loved football though.?
Barker knows that at 5-6 and 160 pounds, it would be his hard work opposed to pure natural talent that was going to get him on the field. That?s another thing that Barker’s father, Sterling, always impressed upon him: Success doesn?t come without hard work.
?I?ve always been pretty much the smallest kid on the team,? Barker said. ?So I knew that if I wanted to be decent or get playing time, I would have to work harder than everyone.?
This summer, Barker was a part of the AA Iola Indians that won the AA American Legion Kansas State championship, but fell short of the team?s goal of winning the entire senior championship crown. Despite being involved with baseball over the summer, Barker still found time to prepare for the upcoming football season.
Barker knocked out his speed training every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings before reporting to work for the City of Iola at 7:30 a.m. When Barker was finished with his lawn mowing and weed-eating duties, he completed his daily lift.
In addition to his job with the city, Barker also mowed lawns and took care of some farms on the Allen-Anderson county line.
When Barker was not working or training for football, he was studying game tape.
?I watched more film over the summer than I usually do,? Barker said. ?I was looking for things I need to work on along with what we could do better as a team.?
Barker?s drive has led to a lot of success in his playing days as a Mustang. Last year, Barker was second-team All-Pioneer League and a Blue Grey All-American regional combine participant.
Although football may be his first love, his most memorable sporting moment is the Mustang?s 4A-II State Championship on the baseball diamond.
?It was very cool, and sometimes feels surreal,? Barker said. ?Being from a small town and winning something big like a state championship is amazing. Even though being a left-handed catcher made it more difficult, it?s nice to know that my hard work paid off.?
