Sophomore Connor Grant: I’m Connor, 

Sophomore Patrick May: I’m Patrick 

Junior Owen Ulmer: and I’m Owen. This is Athletes of West, where we talk to athletes and we can let them share their stories. 

May: What is your name and grade?

Junior Leyton Usry: I’m Leyton Usry, and I’m a junior. 

Grant: What sports have you played?

Usry: I’ve played hockey and I’ve played lacrosse. 

May: What encouraged you to try out for the football team this year? 

Usry: My friends and family. They always wanted me to play, and it’s always been a dream of mine. I was nervous. It was definitely a different atmosphere than other games, but I’ve played in games where there’ve been a lot of students before. 

May: What was it like starting your first year of football? 

Usry: I definitely was nervous. It was something different. But I’ve played in games before, and big games, and it’s just another activity I think. 

Grant: How does it feel to have so much success in such a short amount of time? 

Usry: Um, it feels pretty good knowing I did a lot of good things in a short amount of time. But that’s it. 

May: What’s the go-to pre-game meal? 

Usry: Whatever’s available. That’s it. Nothing. 

May: Do you go through the drive-through or cook at home? 

Usry: We have a team meal after school. It’s always Goodcents May: What’s the Goodcents order? 

Usry: Normally, just a turkey and cheese and mayo. I keep it simple. 

May: Valid take.

Grant: What’s the pregame music mostly? Rap, like NBA YoungBoy? 

Usry: You could imagine, yeah. All that stuff. 

May: How do you feel leading up to the game tomorrow night against Parkway North?

Usry: It’s going to be a hard game and a short week to prepare, but we’ll be ready. 

Grant: What goes through your head when you know it’s a pass play? 

Usry: I’ve been coached, knowing that I should always assume the ball is coming to me, whether it is or it’s not. So, I’m just ready to make a play. 

May: What’s been your most memorable moment from football this year? 

Usry: Just a lot of jumping in the air, whatever that’s called. 

May: Is the season going how do you expect it to go? 

Usry: I didn’t really have many expectations, to be honest. I didn’t really know what was gonna happen. 

Ulmer: All right, how do you feel about breaking the receiving record for Parkway West football? 

Ursy: It’ll definitely be an interesting feeling, but just knowing I did something that’d be in history will be pretty fun and cool. 

Ulmer: What are you going to do this off-season to prepare and get better for the next season? 

Usry: I’ll definitely train with [junior Brett Ottensmeyer], our quarterback, and definitely do some off season work and go to the gym and work on routes and all that type of stuff.