Brett Glaser: The Unlikely Champion,

When Brett Glaser entered the shot put ring at the state meet on Saturday, he wasn't even ranked in the top ten. Prior to arriving at the venue, Phillips checked in with Glaser to see how he was feeling. "Coach, I've never been more ready for anything in my life!" he answered. He also asked Phillips if he thought Coach Wesen was watching. "I think maybe so," Phillips speculated.

Glaser explained that Wesen was always on his mind. "Every meet I thought of him. I miss him a lot."

Although hopes were high for Glaser to secure a state championship in the triple jump for Glasgow, things worked out a bit differently. "He got his state title, but not where we thought," said Phillips. "I don't know what Coach Nelson told him before things started but he had an amazing series."

The top throwers were struggling and one of them didn't even get a mark. "I think Brett made them nervous. He fired off a 45' 9 3/4 on his first one, which was a nine-inch p.r. over the week before. I think Lopez from Malta threw past him next, but on his third throw, Brett shot out a 46' 11 1/2 to add another foot-plus to his best. We had to wait for the other throwers to get done, but that was enough to win."

When asked about what drives him, Glaser seemed to be at a loss for explanation. "I don't even know," he replied. "I just don't want to be bored."

Reflecting on a younger Glaser, Phillips remembered his enthusiasm. "I remember how exuberant he was many years ago, when he got a hit in Cal Ripken baseball that put his team up over Benji's (Phillips) team. You could see the joy on his face as he jumped up and down on first base. We saw the same joy on Saturday, but this time they turned to tears of joy for everyone around who knew him.

We all know what he and his family have been through. A state title doesn't solve all the world's problems or make everything go away. But for one moment in time, maybe it does. Nothing else matters but the fact that you just realized one of your dreams. Real life comes back soon enough, but to me, this was one of the most poignant, unbelievable stories in the history of Scottie sports."

Glaser also impressed GHS Activities Director Brenner Flaten, who is a fixture at Scottie sporting events. "For Brett, it's the perfect culmination of his high school career," he said. "One that had more adversity than anyone should ever have to overcome. He went through three career-threatening injuries. Ninety percent of kids would have called it quits long ago. Just qualifying for state was an accomplishment this season considering his condition just weeks ago. For him to win it. It's historic really."

Flaten's admiration for Glaser's accomplishments are reflected in his tweet following the unlikely win: "Simply unbelievable. Brett Glaser has just WON a Class B shot put title!! He is a STATE CHAMPION. 46' 11 1/2" was the winning toss. A 2' PR. All of Glasgow should know this kid's story by now. For him to be here with all the adversity he's had to overcome."