Lamar senior Ian Ngugi shows work ethic and dedication

By Don Lowe

As a talented two-way starter for Lamar Tigers Football Head Coach Jared Beshore’s senior high squad, senior wide receiver and cornerback Ian Ngugi has proven time and again he’s committed to being the best he can be for this program.

“The most progress I’ve seen in Ian is his work ethic in the weight room and during practice and off-season workouts,” Coach Beshore says. “He has always been a kid with plenty of God-given ability.

“But what has made him extremely successful over the last couple of years is his dedication to our weight program and competing at a high level in practice.”

Although he plays offense and defense, Ngugi says wide receiver is his best position, and he believes the skillsets that allow him to be so good in that role are “speed, change of direction and catching ability.”

When it comes to his greatest challenges as a pass catcher, Ngugi admits the difficulties are with “running the best routes and catching the ball.”

As far as developing into a top-notch wideout, Ngugi says among the most important aspects for success are “hand-eye coordination and getting out of breaks quickly.”

In the defensive secondary, meanwhile, Ngugi says the keys to playing at a high level are all about “having good hips and being able to break on the ball fast.”

Coach Beshore says, “Ian has natural strength and speed, but his ability to stay balanced, maintain body control and change direction smoothly with great footwork is what makes him highly successful.

“His skillset makes him successful at both positions he plays. He has great footwork, plays extremely physical for his size and has great hands and eyes. He can outrun defensive backs on the offensive side of the ball and can turn and run with any wide receiver on defense.”

Ngugi says gridiron greatness is all about “putting in work in the off-season in the weight room and on the football field, and watching film and finding things you can improve or add to your skillset.”

“Ian is extremely coachable,” Coach Beshore says. “He isn’t satisfied with his

Lamar Tigers Senior Football Star Ian Ngugi Fast Facts

Age: 17

Grade in School: 12th

Parent: Tabitha Ngugi

Siblings: Eli and Ana Ngugi

Hometown: Lamar, Missouri

Favorite Subject in School: Math

Favorite Food: Steak

Favorite College Football Player: Ohio State Buckeyes junior wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

Favorite Sports Movie: The Blind Side current standing as an athlete and is always looking to get better. And to me, that is the best trait to have when you’re trying to be a high-level athlete. Great players love being coached.”

When it comes to individuals like Ngugi, it’s a no-brainer how valuable they are on their team. Coach Beshore says, “Ian is the definition of a student-athlete. He is a highacademic, high-character kid that competes at a high level in three sports. Our school district thrives when we have kids like Ian representing us.”

Winning is the goal, but Ngugi says what makes football so much fun and enjoyable for him is “being out there with my friends and teammates making memories with them that we can talk about forever.”