Wilson Makes Positive Mark for Wolf Point’s School, Football

Wolf Point football coach Ryan Wilson is proud of how his son, Austin, has achieved success on the football field. The accomplishments have come through hard work and dedication.

“He gets himself up early and works out. I’ve been lucky, I haven’t had to make him do anything,” coach Wilson said. “He has pushed himself to get better.”

Through two games this season, the senior safety has an impressive 38 tackles.

“The kid works really hard,” coach Wilson said. “It’s because of a good work ethic on the field and in the classroom. He leads by example.”

In the classroom, Austin has earned a 3.83 grade point average which ranks him fourth in his class. He is a member of the National Honor Society and student council.

Even though his father was a football standout during his high school days in Lewistown, football didn’t come easy at first for Austin. He started playing flag football in third grade and tackle football in fifth grade, but he explained that he wasn’t the best because he was a little on the “chubby” side.

Austin said he started working out during his eighth-grade summer. As a freshman, he says he was about average because he was only 13 years old.

As a sophomore, he started to play a good amount for the Wolves. He is a three-year captain for Wolf Point.

“I like to push myself to be the best,” Austin said.

During track season, Austin placed in five events at the district meet. He competed at the state meet in a relay as a sophomore.

But football is, by far, his favorite sport. “I like the competitiveness,” Austin said of football. “It builds who you are and also shapes you.”

With all but two games postponed because of the increase of active coronavirus cases, his senior football season has been a challenge.

“I’m really disappointed,” Austin said. “We’re still trying to be optimistic about it.”

In those two games, however, Austin has been a standout performer at quarterback and safety.

“I just have a good nose for the ball,” Austin said of his high amount of tackles. “My teammates do their jobs and let me make the plays.”

Along with being thankful to his teammates, he is also grateful that his father serves as his head coach.

“He pushes me and holds me to a higher standard to be better,” Austin said.

The All-Conference performer has signed to play football at the University of Western Montana in Dillon. He is expected to play defensive back at the collegiate level.

“I’m really excited to play football in college,” Austin added.

He plans to study elementary education. Following in his father’s footsteps, Austin hopes to coach in the future.

“I think we will be a lot alike,” Austin said of his coaching style.

His advice to younger student- athletes is to put in the extra work both in the classroom and in the weight room.