Jeff Chaney
Sports Scene
AUBURN HILLS, MI – To say that New Lothrop senior Cody Symons has a busy schedule would be a bit of an understatement.
Not only does Symons work on his family’s 1,000-acre farm, waking early to do chores, but he also is a two-sport athlete, participating in football and wrestling.
Besides that, he is his class valedictorian, carrying a GPA of 4.0.
He fits chores, practices, games, and meets into his busy schedule, and he also studies, which makes him a true student/athlete.
How does he do it?
“One thing I always do is pay attention,” Symons said. “I am constantly paying attention. Listening to teachers, listening to coaches, doing everything they tell you to do. Doing all the little things, study, do the homework, get everything done. Do things right, and make sure you know what you are doing, or ask questions. Sometimes you don’t get the best response out of your teacher or coach, but you learn.”
He learned those attributes at home. “I’m really busy, but I have a good work ethic,” Symons said. “I got that from my parents.”
According to New Lothrop wrestling coach Jeff Campbell, that is why New Lothrop High School has produced great student/athletes over the years – family.
“This says a lot about his family,” Campbell said of Symons. “He has a family that is involved in all levels of our youth sports and varsity sports. He has a younger brother on the team, and two more younger brothers coming up, and his parents have done a good job with those four boys.”
But Campbell sees this all over New Lothrop, starting with his team.
“Our team GPA is 3.89, so we have a lot of kids like Cody,” Campbell said. “That is a testament to our community as much as anything. Our test scores are high in our town, and grades and test scores are important. Community, church, and family is very important in New Lothrop.”
All of the hard work is paying off for Symons.
Last fall, playing offensive tackle and defensive end, he helped his football team to the state semifinals.
In wrestling, he helped lead the Hornets to the Division 4 state championship, knocking off five-time champion Hudson in the process. He also finished his individual career with his third medal and all-state performance, taking third for the second straight year.
“After last week I was pretty proud,” Symons said. “My senior year has been awesome. In football we made it to the semifinals there. And then going to wrestling and winning a team title there. It’s been a great senior year.”
But now, he is thinking of his future and deciding where to continue his studies.
“Right now I am thinking about the University of Michigan,” Symons said. “I just got accepted a couple of weeks ago, and I’m really proud of that. Right now I’m thinking I want to study engineering, but I’m not 100 percent sure.”
Another successful Hornet in the making. “The kid has his priorities in order,” Campbell said. “Sports are a privilege, and he has the right to do them if he does it the right way and can manage his time and keep his grades high. And he’s done that.”