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Wildcat plans to keep the hits coming

Standout linebacker Vince Chalecki isn't wary of contact since injuring his knee.

By STEVE LEE
Published May 18, 2006

WESLEY CHAPEL - Coach John Castelamare has firsthand knowledge of Vince Chalecki's knee injury that caused the Wesley Chapel inside linebacker to miss nearly five games last season.

Castelamare, a former backup inside linebacker at Nebraska (Class of 1971), has had six knee operations. Chalecki, a junior, tore ligaments in his right knee during the Wildcats' sixth game but opted for rest and rehabilitation over offseason surgery.

"I pray that Chalecki never has to get a knee operation," Castelamare said. "At inside linebacker you get chopped on by a lot of players."

Chalecki, who as a sophomore led the county with 145 tackles and last season had a team-high 120, does not plan to shy away from contact in spring drills or during the upcoming season. Still, he will be more aware of his surroundings in the middle of the gridiron.

"You can't," he said of avoiding contact on his knees. "You've just got to have your eyes everywhere all the time. I'm just lucky this is the only injury I've had."

Chalecki intended to play soccer in the winter, but did not feel his knee had healed properly, so he waited until track season and threw the shot put and discus. He placed ninth in the shot at regionals and plans to go out for soccer next winter.

As for football, nothing other than his family is more important. Chalecki, who moved to Wesley Chapel as a sixth-grader from Ohio, did not play football up north because only flag programs existed near his family's home in Dayton. At Weightman, he was a two-year starter at linebacker and running back.

Chalecki fondly remembers former Weightman coach Johnnie Clower.

"Coach Clower was like a father figure to me and he taught me the game," Chalecki said.

One thing Chalecki relished about football from the outset was hitting, whether it was tackling an opponent or running over a would-be tackler.

"I liked the contact," he said.

Chalecki has his sights set on playing at the next level and has no preference of schools or locales, seeking only the best offer. So far, Florida Atlantic, Florida A&M, Florida International, Stanford, Louisville and Ohio University have expressed interest.

Other than helping the Wildcats rebound from a 4-6 season, which ended a four-year playoff run, Chalecki's goal is to have an injury-free season.

"I just want to recover from this injury," he said. "I don't care about numbers."

But the numbers keep factoring into Chalecki's career. Last week during the team's annual Ironman challenge of strength and agility drills, he tied a school record with an 825-pound leg press.

"I don't weigh too much in that," he said. "It was like a small test."

The real challenge, Chalecki added, will come in the physical collisions during the Wildcats' first game next season.

[Last modified May 18, 2006, 01:40:19]