Caldwell named Rotary Athlete of Month
by Jesse Phelps

Thacher senior wide-out Tyler Caldwell was honored by the Rotary Club earlier this month as its Athlete of the Month for October. He received the award along with a $50 savings bond.
Caldwell has had a pace-setting campaign in this, Thacher's inaugural season playing eight-man football. His 25 regular season touchdowns will be hard record to break for future Thacher players and last weekend he added two more scores in a first-round CIF upset win over Viewpoint.
Thacher head coach Jeff Hooper played the same position at Trinity College, his undergraduate alma mater, but admits Caldwell is a cut above. Asked what special tricks of the trade he's shared with his go-to player, Hooper admits, "There isn't much I can show him. He's done things that I never even thought about doing."
As of the award presentation, Caldwell was averaging a first down with every touch. His 14 yards per carry is a stunning figure. In a game against Villanova on Oct. 19, Caldwell scored an unheard-of six first half touchdowns, adding another in the second half of the 57-27 thrashing of the Wildcats.
"It's really a great honor," said Caldwell of the award. "It's neat to be recognized, not only by the Thacher community, but by the outside community of Ojai."
Caldwell's speed is a valuable asset to Thacher in other sports as well. He also plays centerfield on the varsity baseball team, which made it to the CIF finals last year with a 17-0 regular season record.

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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