Minot Player Rudy Award Semi-Finalist on KUMV-TV North Dakota's NBC News Leader

Minot Player Rudy Award Semi-Finalist | Video

Jacob Kaucher

12/10/2009

Evan Lawson might as well roll in a cot.

The Minot High weight room has become his second home.

"Basically I`m trying to be a better me," Lawson says. "A better self."

Lawson`s journey toward self-improvement all started more than two years ago.

Back then he was nearly 400 pounds and struggled with daily activities like climbing stairs.

"I was unphysical," Lawson says. "Kind of a lazy person."

Then the switch flipped.

Lawson started lifting weights after his dad threatened to take away his membership card to the YMCA.

"I just really liked it once I started," Lawson says. "And I started seeing results and I didn`t want to stop."

Lawson hasn`t looked back since.

Now it`s 2 years later and he`s 150 pounds lighter.

"I have constant energy all the time," Lawson says.

Once Lawson started working out, people said he should go out for the football team, and so he did.

And although his hard work never earned him a starting spot on the varsity, now he`s one of 30 semi-finalists for the High School Rudy Awards.

"He`s North Dakota`s Rudy," Head Coach Barry Holmen says. "He`s the only North Dakota athlete that is a semi-finalist."

Holmen says the backup defensive lineman`s fitness journey embodies the courage, committment, character, and contributions the Rudy Awards demand.

"When he goes about his business every day," Holmen says, "he`s making up for lost time. He`s the first kid to jump in at any drill at practice. He`s a contributor."

Holman says Lawson`s hard work not only provides an example for teammates, but for everyone who wants to live a healthier life and see their dreams come true.

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