Whether he’s chasing a would-be receiver on the football field or flagging down a long fly ball in the outfield, Tahlequah senior Dylan Leep is a guy you can count on to get the job done. Growing up and attending his early years of school in Woodall, Dylan formed an attachment to Tahlequah as a kid.
“I remember coming to Tahlequah to watch the football games and thinking that was where I wanted to be one day,” said Leep. “Being a Tiger means a lot to me. You’ve got several thousand people watching you play including a lot of little kids like I was that you influence.”
Getting to the point where he is has been a work in progress according to head coach Brad Gilbert.
“The first year Dylan came to us as a freshman was pretty rough for him and he would tell you that. He didn’t have a good grasp of what was going on but his sophomore year he really blossomed, and he’s continued to get better. Last year I think he had seven interceptions and he’s got two so far this year which gives him 10 for his career and his goal is to break the school record of 13. He’s generally always matched up against the other team’s best receiver and he’s handled that responsibility very well.”
But getting to the point of being able to break a school record has required some hard work on Dylan’s part.
“I think one of the secrets to his success has been the time he has spent in the weight room,” said Gilbert. “He’s probably put on 40 pounds and added strength since his freshman year, and he’s never backed down from any challenge we’ve given him.”
Reliable and committed are two of the words that Leep uses to describe himself which in turn leads to his role as a team leader.
“I feel like I’m a good leader and so I’m aware that if I do something right or wrong, they’ll follow that example so I’m always striving to do things the right way,” said Dylan who likes to hunt and fish in his spare time.
It’s that attitude that Gilbert says is what he likes to see in his players.
“Every young man in our program understands that they represent more than just themselves as a Tahlequah Tiger. Whether they’re in school or out in the community, what they do is a direct reflection of who we are and what we represent, and I think that’s a good life lesson for them. When you’re attached to something you need to represent it to the best of your ability.”
