Michels and Spear, They Set the Bar High
As the cliché states, “opposites attract,” so too do the long time teammates Nate Michels and John Spear both on and off the field. Michels and Spear, senior star athletes for the Kellam Knights, are amused when they reflect on how they first met. “We were totally opposite,” laughs Michels as he proceeds to describe himself as an “overweight bully” in middle school. Being a “skinny computer nerd” adds Spear, “I liked to run.” So he would run extra to earn popsicle sticks for Michels' laps.
As they grew out of middle school, Kellam High School proved that the two could be equally fit both academically and athletically. During off-seasons, they focused on their weight training and were captains of the Kellam Futsal league. Spear continued his running through winter track, where he earned the title “sprint captain” for the Knights' track team, and earned the Coach's Award for the 2006 winter track season.
Currently within two pounds of each other they appreciate how they pushed one another through the years. As the emotional leaders of the 2006 Kellam boys' soccer team, Michels and Spear pride themselves in holding a strong defense. Varsity boys' soccer coach Craig Powers explains, “They have brought great leadership, passion for the game and unparalleled competitiveness throughout the soccer season. Michels was the director of one of the best defenses in the state,” remarks Powers. “They set the bar high for what Kellam Soccer should be known.”
Michels, known for attacking air balls, and Spear, portrayed as the “shut down” defender, feel as though their followers will hold together another successful season in the 2006-07 year. Powers adds, “The underclassmen have big shoes to fill with the loss of our five senior starters, four of which were on the defensive end. “
The duo helped carry Kellam football to prominence; they were a part of two consecutive undefeated junior varsity football seasons. Their varsity career consisted of two successful seasons, capping off their senior year with a playoff birth. The two agree that “This year more than ever” there was “much unity” within the Knights' football team.
“It is refreshing to see these two kids take some of the character traits we try to instill on a day to day basis and carry them into all aspects of their life,” comments Chris DeWitt, Kellam's head varsity football coach. “Kellam has won many games in the last four years by consistently producing kids who are disciplined, hard working and dedicated individuals. These are two kids that will always make Kellam High School proud.”
Michels learned that the running was just the beginning of true success. A defensive back, he reached a local record of four interceptions in Kellam's regular season game this year against Ocean Lakes. Through his football efforts, he was awarded honorable mention All-Beach District for football as a senior. And best of all, he has been accepted to the United States Coast Guard Academy. Michels is looking forward to starting at free safety as a freshman for Coach Ray LaForte at the Academy and setting more interception records.
Spear's senior superlative vote by his peers as “most athletic” is only the beginning of his high school accomplishments. Through his four years at Kellam High School, he never missed a day! Although staying an active letterman of the varsity football team, his heart became true to the sport of soccer. He was a varsity letter winner from 2003 to 2006 for Kellam soccer. He led the Knights, as a team captain, to be the 2006 Beach District Soccer Tournament Champions and Eastern Region runner-up.
It is no mistake that athletics and academics go hand in hand. His leadership on and off the field was noteworthy, making him the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Student Athlete of the Year in 2005. He was the US Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete in 2006 and he was awarded the Dr. Curtis Hall, Jr. memorial Award for Excellence in Athletics and Scholastic Achievement for the Virginia Beach Public Schools in 2006. His perseverance led to his appointment to the United States Air Force Academy (Class of 2010) and recruitment to play Division I Soccer. His goals continue. Without a thought, his first challenge to meet is “to start as a freshman at a Division I school,” and, “to win a conference championship.”
“Work hard and win.” is the message Spear hopes to instill in his fellow returning players at Kellam. “Support of family and friends has always driven me,” claims Spear.
Michels states he has “been lucky to be together with successful friends. We are all there for each other.”
As these “total opposites” move on, now living parallel lives, one can not help but understand the true significance of their remarkable accomplishments: year-long physical training, family support, a strong academic background, respect for others and, all the while, staying best friends.
