TEAM ROSTER

Sam Lightbody

At 6’9” tall and 320 lbs., family lore has it that his Scottish last name “Lightbody” comes from some distant relative who was a light bearer.  Was born in the Philippines and lived there with his parents, who were Bible translators, in a grass-roofed house until he was in second grade.  Graduated from Huntington Beach High School in Orange County in 2000, where he was a star athlete in football and track with personal bests of 60’ 8” in the shot and 195’ 11” in the discus.   Attended Washington State on a football scholarship and started 27 games at offensive tackle.  As a freshman at Wazoo he had shot/discus bests of 58’ 4” (17.78m) and 180’ 0” (54.86m) and placed in the top-10 in both at the 2001 PAC-10 Championships.  Later, however, he dropped track to concentrate on football.  A tackle, in 2004 he was voted offensive co-captain for the Cougars.  Was an 8th round draft pick of the Houston Texans, then later signed with Tampa as a free agent. A fine arts major, he is also a talented artist.  Of his return to track & field competition, his former high school and current VSA throws coach, Tony Ciarelli says, “Sam is a world-class athlete. Track & Field looses so many great young athletes to Pro Football, the sport is lucky to get him back.  Sam’s goals are to qualify for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials and contend for a spot on the USA Team.

PRs: 58’ 4” (17.78m) Shot Put, 185' 5" (56.5m) Discus