Get to Know: Football's #56 Strider Aston

9/27/2022

Strider Aston is a two-sport athlete for the Broncos. He was selected as a team captain for football this season and is coming off a junior campaign where he was an All-Premier Region second-team selection in the javelin. He finished 11th overall at the state meet. He competes in the javelin, shot put, discus, and decathlon in track and field. He is the oldest of five siblings and the son of Brophy faculty member and coach Ian Aston.

What did it mean to you to be selected as a football team captain?

“It is cool because my teammates and my coaches voted for me. It was a combination of the two. It is an honor getting to represent the Brophy football team every day and walking out at games, representing the defense.”

What are your individual goals this season?

“My individual goal is to be in the Top 10 in the state in solo tackles.”

What is the biggest challenge of being a two-sport athlete?

“The biggest challenge is the time commitments to both. Both are year-round sports, so I try to get throwing in at least once a week during football season. Last year I had to balance all the lifting and the running with track season.”

What do you love about the challenge of the decathlon?

“A lot of people think about the decathlon as a jack of all trades and a master of none. If you want to be successful, you must be a jack of all trades and good at everything. In my case, it is to be as good as I can be and survive the 400 and mile.”

What are your college goals?

“My college goals are to get into a solid college that has occupational therapy and hopefully go somewhere up north.”

What do you enjoy about sharing the Brophy experience with your Dad?

“The coolest part about him being here with me is the car rides in. We live in Gilbert, so we have 45 minutes minimum. We spend a lot of time together every day and the conversations we have are cool.”

What is the story behind your name?

“A lot of people recognize it from a character in the Lord of the Rings. The truth is my mom found it in a book of names and my dad made sure she did not pick it from Lord of the Rings. It was just a cool name.”

How does the name best fit you as an athlete?

“I am not the fastest guy as people would be quick to point out. It does not fit me in the literal aspect. I like to go after problems headfirst and sometimes, to the chagrin of my coaches, I play too fast. Most of the time, it leads to making a big hit or play. It is ow I like to play and I like to attack with as much aggression as possible.”

If you could live in a book, TV show or movie, where would you live: Lord of the Rings.

What animal best represents you: Wolverine.

What is your greatest achievement: It has Yet to Happen.

If you could have one superpower: Flight.

If you could time travel, would you go to the past or the future: Future.

What teacher has inspired you the most: Jr. Year English Mr. Hunthausen

What is your favorite holiday: Christmas.

If you won the lottery, what would you buy: New pair of skis.

What’s your favorite dinner: Sloppy Joe Casserole.

Name the celebrity you would like to meet: Aaron Rodgers.

Favorite Olympic Athlete: Devon Allen.

Who is your hero: My Grandpa, Poppa Phalen.