By NICHOLAS KIMBALL

Staff writer

Marion defensive back Jack Lanning has been selected to play on the west team June 29th at Kansas Shrine Bowl in Emporia.

Lanning is the seventh player from Marion selected in 51 years.

Calvin Hett was selected in 1990, John Wheeler in 1992, Brendan Kraus in 1995, Jason Wheeler in 1996, Morgan Wheeler in 2014, and Kyle Palic in 2015.

“I feel really honored to be selected to participate in the Shrine Bowl and represent Marion,” Jack Lanning said. “I’ve been wanting to play in this game ever since I first went and watched it my sophomore year.

“I set my goals to eventually be able to play in the Shrine Bowl my senior year and I’m blessed to be able to live out my dream.”

For his high school football career, Lanning has rushed for 3,730 yards and passed for 1,946 yards.

Between rushing and passing, he was responsible for 62 touchdowns in four years.

In his senior varsity year, he ended with 1,462 yards rushing with 21 touchdowns, and 525 yards passing with six touchdowns.

“I’m glad that my hard work has finally paid off but obviously I’m not done with wanting to compete at the next level,” Lanning said. “I battled some adversity throughout the year with a bruised tailbone that happened during the first game against Inman. I just kept going to the weight room and doctors to hope that I could heal quickly and I could continue to compete for my team to the best of my ability.”

Jack played both sides of the ball in every game. On defense he racked up a total of 133 tackles for his four year career, 55 in his senior year.

Lanning also picked off five interceptions his senior year.

“Obviously, it’s more about the Shriner children than about the players who play, but I’m very excited about the opportunity to play and get to meet new people and have this once in a lifetime experience,” Lanning said.

The Shrine Bowl selection marks Lanning’s 19th award during his entire football career.

He’s been honored with multiple Heart of America all-league, 1A all-district, and 1A all-state awards for the last two seasons.