By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
A year ago Washburn Rural linebacker Ty Weber was named the TopSports.news Shawnee County defensive player of the year, recording more than 100 tackles while helping lead the Junior Blues to a breakout 8-2 season.
Ty Weber (32) and his Washburn Rural defensive teammates celebrate a turnover in last season's Class 6A playoff win over Wichita West. [File photo/TSN]
But the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Weber begins the 2022 football season with one thing he hasn't had in a while -- a clean bill of health.
Also an All-Shawnee County pick in baseball, Weber missed virtually his entire sophomore baseball season in 2021 after suffering a serious ankle injury in the Junior Blues' season-opener against Seaman while chasing a foul ball.
"I just ran into the fence, got my foot stuck and it just kind of snapped it,'' Weber said.
It took Weber all of the spring and summer of 2021 and a few games into the football season before the Junior Blue standout felt like he was at full speed.
"The first couple of games I played a half, I didn't get to play the full game,'' he said. "I don't like to be on the sideline, I'd rather be on the field, but it was more of a marathon that a sprint to get back into it.''
After registering 106 tackles (63 solo) and seven tackles for loss in football, Weber followed that up with a spectacular start to the '22 baseball season before aggravating the injury he suffered as a sophomore while trying to snag a high throw -- again against Seaman -- which necessitated more surgery.
"It was bothering me a couple of weeks before that and I knew something was kind of messed up,'' Weber said. "I landed wrong and I just knew something was wrong. They told me it was from the last time, it just never healed.''
Another long rehabilitation followed, which Weber admitted was tough to swallow.
"It was almost like deja vu,'' Weber said. "It was frustrating, being in a position where I was doing well and the team's succeeding, I didn't want to sit out. Unfortunately it was a decision we had to make so I could play football this fall.
"It was heartbreaking. but it was kind of necessary.''
Weber wouldn't wish the injuries he's gone through on anybody, but he feels like the journey has made him a stronger person.
"Now I don't think anything for granted,'' Weber said. "I know things can be taken from you in a heartbeat. You've got to take everything day by day and appreciate your opportunities because you don't know how many you have left.''
As Washburn Rural opened fall practice on Monday, Weber, who has received Division I recruiting interest, pronounced himself fit and ready to go.
"I'm 100 percent now, I'm ready,'' Weber said.
And Weber, who had a single-game high of 17 tackles a year ago, is convinced another big year is in store for the Junior Blues, who shared the Centennial League title last fall.
"I've got no doubt is my mind that we'll be better,'' Weber said. "We're all ready to go, we're all hungry. We remember what happened last year in those two games we lost and the games that we won and we're hungry for more and we're ready for it.''
