Mateo Dutchover will finish his high school career as Compass Academy’s first salutatorian, setting a tone for student-athletes in the future.
He was close to getting all As during his time at the school, narrowly missing out with one B in his chemistry class.
“I wasn’t too upset about it because I didn’t want to make a big deal over school,” Dutchover said of his chemistry grade. “It was kind of like an itch in my back, kind of annoying but it wasn’t too bad.”
As a Cougar, Dutchover competed on the basketball, cross country and track teams while managing his regular courseload.
He was the starting point guard on the varsity basketball team, a role that coach Aaron Hardwick said fit the senior well.
“It’s an honor, but he took it all in stride,” Hardwick said. “He took it even further than I would have imagined him to be able to take it.”
Helping Compass Academy adjust to competing in the UIL as a new school, Dutchover matured quickly and became a leader for the programs.
Hardwick has known Dutchover for about five years, noting that the student-athlete began to showcase signs of leadership the last two years on campus.
To keep track of his classwork and athletics, Dutchover knew he had to be a step ahead.
He made sure to finish his assignments as early as he could, normally looking to complete them before deadlines to avoid having anything pile up after his practice schedules or competitions.
Dutchover said his coaches played an important role in making sure everyone stayed on task when it came to academics.
“They made sure we got our work done and if we needed to, we could go to schoolwork first because schoolwork came before athletics all the time,” Dutchover said.
After he graduates, Dutchover plans on staying local and going to UTPB to study psychology.
He wants to study psychology because he’s interested in how the mind works and the different thought processes in each individual.
Dutchover got a presidential scholarship to go to UTPB, so he’ll go to school for free and save money before focusing on his next move.
His plans include moving West, perhaps to California or Arizona, to become a firefighter.
“My dad used to be a firefighter, so it’s always been on the back of my mind,” Dutchover said. “More recently as of now, helping people feels good and seeing joy on people’s faces.
“I try and be funny at school and talk to everybody to make as many people happy as I can.”
Dutchover also hopes to own a business at some point in the future to make his own money in his time as a firefighter.
Hardwick said he expects Dutchover to achieve his life goals because of the intelligence and responsibility he has shown in his high school career.
The coach believes his student made a large impact on others around him and that will stick for a long time on campus.
“I think he’s going to leave a lifelong legacy there for the rest of the kids that are coming after him, for sure,” Hardwick said. “He definitely pushed his seniors the last couple years to strive to do their best on and off the playing surface.”
Dutchover hopes he taught those around him to have fun with each aspect of their academic and athletic careers.
He said that was one of the reasons he excelled as a Cougar.
“Make sure fun is your No. 1 priority,” Dutchover said. “You can still work hard and have fun at the same time, you don’t want to stress too much about it because then it ruins the game for you.”
>> Follow Chris Amaya on Twitter at @OA_CAmaya
MATEO DUTCHOVER
COMPASS ACADEMY OF ODESSA
>> Academic Rank: No. 2 (Salutatorian) of 58
>> Sports: Basketball; Track; Cross Country
>> Academic bio: All “A’s” (except fro a singular “B” in chemistry)
>> Athletic bio: Point guard on varsity basketball team
>> Activities: Basketball; Weightlifting; Video Games
>> College and major: UTPB (Psychology)
>> Goals for the future: Become a firefighter and own my own business
>> Favorite subject: Math
>> Favorite book: Harry Potter series
>> Favorite musician: Baby Smoove
>> Role model: My parents
