JEFF FIELDER Editor
MINATARE – Ephroen Lovato, who graduated from Minatare High School in May, has been named Nspire Today!’s Male Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. Lovato was one of the region’s top high school football players his senior year, and he also was a standout in the shot put during the track and field season. He also was a key player on the Indians’ basketball team. Lovato, a four-year starter in football, recently competed in the West Nebraska All-Star Football Game. He plans to go to school and play football at Chadron State College. His parents are LeAnn and Joshua Lovato.
Q: How much did you enjoy participating in the all-star football game?
LOVATO: “It was the most exciting experience of my life. The whole week, I had a lot of fun getting to know the other players, and on game day, I’ve never had that much adrenalin before in a game.”
Q: What position did you play?
LOVATO: “I played mostly defensive tackle and some defensive end.”
Q: Have you always preferred the defensive side of the ball?
LOVATO: “No, I actually prefer offense. It actually caught me by surprise that I played defense because I hadn’t played that position much. But it went pretty well.”
Q: In high school, what defensive position did you play most of the time?
LOVATO: “Linebacker.”
Q: What position did you play on offense at Minatare?
LOVATO: “Running back.”
Q: How much of an honor was it being named to the all-star game?
LOVATO: “It was a big honor. I always wanted to play 11-man before I went to college. It was a great experience.”
Q: How would you describe the way your high school football career went overall?
LOVATO: “I thought it went pretty well. I was able to break the NSAA playoff record for most rushing yards in one game [vs. Walthill], which was 390 rushing yards. We also went 9-2, and we hadn’t done that well for a while. It was awesome.”
Q: Just how memorable was that day for you, when you rushed for a record 390 yards?
LOVATO: “That day just felt really good. It was a lot of fun. Everyone on our team played really well.”
Q: How much did you enjoy your senior year overall in sports?
LOVATO: “It went really well. I was surprised that I got honorable mention for MAC Conference in basketball. I was also really happy with the track and field season. It was my third year in a row to win districts for the shot put. Also at districts, I was able to beat the school record by almost a foot and a half. The record before that was 50 feet, 4 inches, and I threw 51-9. At state, I got fourth place.”
Q: Out of the three sports that you competed in, which one was your favorite?
LOVATO: “Football, definitely. I liked playing on our team. Everyone worked hard, and we were like a family. It was fun.”
Q: How excited are you to play football at Chadron State College?
LOVATO: “I’m really excited. I know I’m going to have to work really, really hard every day in practice.”
Q: What is your goal at Chadron State?
LOVATO: “My goal is to try to improve my strength and speed so they know that they can rely on me at my position.”
Q: What position will you play at Chadron State?
LOVATO: “I’m hoping to play running back. But you never know in college. They can switch you to a different position, which is OK. I just want to try to help the team wherever I can.”
Q: Have you followed the Chadron State football program quite a bit over the years?
LOVATO: “Yes, I have, ever since I was little. My uncle played at Chadron, and I always thought that was pretty cool. I thought, ‘Someday I would like to play there, too.’ It’s also close to my family, so that’s nice.”
Q: What are you planning to major in at Chadron State?
LOVATO: “Graphic design.”
Q: Why did you pick that as a major?
LOVATO: “I really like working with computers, so I thought that would be cool.”
Q: Have you lived in Minatare most of your life?
LOVATO: “I moved there in fourth grade. I lived in Omaha for about a year, and before that I lived in Hemingford from when I was about 4 years old through third grade.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed living and going to school in Minatare?
LOVATO: “I’ve enjoyed it. You know everyone. There isn’t any bullying or anything like that in Minatare, so that’s really cool. People are really friendly here. They’re willing to help other people out.”
Q: Beside sports, what else do you like to do for fun?
LOVATO: “I like to hang out with my friends. I also like to focus on working out and eating the right things.”
Q: Is there anything else that you would like to add?
LOVATO: “The school record for the shot put was set in 1998 by my dad [who threw 50-4]. I had actually looked at his record on the board on the wall ever since my junior high years. I said, ‘I’m going to beat that one day.’ I’m excited that I was able to do that.”
Q: What did your dad tell you after you broke his record?
LOVATO: “He was really, really excited for me.”
Q: Are you thinking about throwing the shot put in college, too?
LOVATO: “I’m thinking about it, but I’m not sure yet.”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Athletes of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, athletes of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865. If you would like to increase your subscription to $20, Nspire Today! will donate the extra $5 in June to Camp Scott.
For all your insurance needs, visit The Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance, located at 1012 Ave. I in Scottsbluff, or call 308-632-8598.
