Diamond in the Rough: Reece Aultman, West Monroe High School

Reece Aultman is a senior kicker at West Monroe High School. Reece has a 4.0 GPA and 29 on his ACT. Last season he played in 13 out of 14 varsity games and scored 64 out 66 PAT’s.This season he looks to continue that streak he is 11 for 11 on PAT’s and 1 for 1 on field goal attempts thus far. He participated in 8 camps over the summer to work on his accuracy in his kicks and overall strength. Reece uses his former soccer skills to help better his accuracy and consistency with the football. He is looking forward to finishing his senior year and wants to major in finance or business administration in college.

Height: 5’11

Weight: 170

Squat: 205

40 Time: 5.1

GPA: 4.0

ACT: 29

When did you begin playing football?

I started playing last year as a junior but football has always been a part of my life growing up. I started off as a kicker which is still what I do now.

What made you want to play football and what do you love about the sport?

   I love the brotherhood. Up until last year I was always in the stands cheering the team on until I played in a pick-up football game with friends and I noticed that I have a pretty good ability to kick a football. I think that stems from my soccer background so I went to the head football coach and asked if I could join the team as a kicker and he said yes. Ever since I began I have flourished and I really enjoy everything about the game.

Do you play any other sports?

My freshman and sophomore year I played soccer, once I began football my junior year I decided to strictly focus on it. They overlapped and I chose football over soccer. Last year for football I won the 2017 coaches special teams MVP player. Last week’s game I won special team’s player of the game.

How did you prepare in the off season?

   I attended 8 camps at places like LA Tech, Ouachita Baptist, Louisiana College, Northwestern State, Millsap’s, and ULL.

What do you want to major in once you start college?

   I want to major in finance or business administration which will lead me to hopefully being a general manager or athletic director for a major sports team.

What are you most improved on since last year?

   My most improved skill has definitely been power and consistency. I worked throughout the off season getting stronger in the weight room and getting more accurate with my field goals. Accuracy has lead me to have a further kickoff distance from what I had last year. I have not missed a field goal at all this season so far.

How do you prepare for games?

My number one thing is to stretch a lot. As a kicker you use big muscles in your legs and back and it is important to keep yourself loose. I try not to concentrate too hard I kick better when I am calm and free flowing into the game. I try to go out there and kick and do my thing without thinking about it too much.

What are you looking forward to this year?

   I definitely want to repeat all the good we did last season. Last year we went undefeated in the regular season and lost in the semifinals of state. Hopefully this year we can make it one game further and keep that winning streak going. I am most looking forward to the Neville game which is at home this year and that is our biggest across the river rivalry. I can’t wait to pack out both sides of the stadium with over 15,000 people.

What would your coaches say about you?

   The coaches say that I get my job done and for the majority of practices I am out practicing by myself because we do not have a special teams coach. This shows that I know what I need to do in practice and I can be held accountable while the coaches are helping out with other positions.

What makes you stand out from other kickers across the state?

   My consistency is what makes me stand out. I focus everyday on being more accurate from hash to hash on field goals and also that I support my teammates. I stay locked in when I am about to kick but when I am not on the field I am on the sidelines cheering my team on.

Have you won any academic awards or a part of any clubs?

   I am in National Honor Society and I have made the Principal’s List and Honor Roll every six weeks of school throughout my high school career. I am in FCA and FCS as well as a group of students that helps incoming freshman get acquainted with the school. I am a part of Chick-fil-a Leader Academy which is also a national club that helps serve the local community as well as Biology club that helps serve the community.

What community service or charity work have you done?

   I operate a local wiffle ball tournament in West Monroe, Louisiana. This past August was our 6^thyear to do the tournament at our local sports complex and we had 43 teams register which is over 150 players and over 400 spectators come and watch the games. The age range is elementary to adults. They competed all day and we raised over $2,000 for local charities and to help a church friend go on a mission trip for a year in South Africa. Each year we donate the profits to a local charity or organization. The very first year of the tournament we raised money for my own mission trip to El Salvador. Overall in the past 6 years I have raised over $10,000 for charity, over 800 players have participated, and over 1,000 spectators have watched.