Senior Spotlight: Caleb Paulus

For this week’s senior spotlight, we will be highlighting Caleb Paulus!

After starting football at the young age of four, Caleb quickly found a love for the sport. With a dream of playing football in college, Caleb really started to take the sport seriously in sixth or seventh grade. 

“I love playing the game, and I want to play it for as long as I can,” Caleb said. “It’s been a dream of mine to play in college.”

Unfortunately, only three games into his senior season, Caleb tore his ACL and had to have surgery. When adapting to this new role, he spoke of how he struggled with the idea of sitting out of his senior season, but soon reminded himself to see it as a small bump in the road and look at the bigger picture. Although he had to watch from the sidelines, Caleb is grateful for his teammates who made his recovery easier and continued to treat him as if nothing had happened. 

“Look at every day as a new start and a new chance to improve and get better,” he said. 

Caleb’s favorite thing about Waukee is the incredible relationships he has made with both the students and the staff. He credits all members of the coaching staff and teachers in the high school as influences in his life.

“Corey Kopatich was a really big influence on me both on and off the field,” Caleb said. “He taught me along with the other guys what it means to be tough and give 100% of yourself to something, whether it was football or just life.”

He has made sure to take advantage of each opportunity provided to him throughout his high school career. He knows it has helped him gain the outstanding work ethic he possesses now.

“Don’t take shortcuts and never miss a chance to improve yourself physically or mentally in whatever sport or activity you’re in.”

Caleb will be fulfilling his football dreams next year at Minnesota State of Mankato where he will be studying to become a veterinarian.