KLFY Athlete of the Week: Shanga Charles
NEW IBERIA, La. (KLFY) -- Running back Shanga Charles is ready to exceed his own expectations in his senior year at New Iberia Senior High.
Charles rushed for over 1,000 yards in his sophomore and junior years, this physical back has a lot of love for the game of football. He said his goal for this year is to try to get 2,000 yards.
"I've been playing it since I was seven years old. I was on the traveling league play. I played in middle school and high school now," Charles said.
Charles is in his fourth year playing football at NISH. This Yellow Jacket is also going into his third year as a powerlifter and first year throwing shotput on the track and field team.
I asked Shanga why he wanted to be on the track and field team his senior year. He said:
"Just to stay in shape really, instead of sitting around the house doing nothing and you know what I'm saying just scrolling on social media all day. I would rather go do something with myself that lift. That's something that I love to do and do other sports that I see that I'm good at."
Outside of sports, Charles likes to work out and chill with his friends. Shanga is a quiet guy, but his play on the field does all of the talking. Charles thanks his family for his success.
"My mom, my dad, and my stepmom. They for sure are my biggest supporters. They are out there recording my games. Also, my brother too. He also put on his Instagram story to support me and tell people to come out to the game, come watch me. That's for sure my supporters," he said.
Charles wants to go to college on a football scholarship and major in business. He said his hard work on and off the field is going to get him to the next level.
"Ball out on the field and ball out in the classroom, obviously. You have got to have the right grades to go to the next level. It's just not always on the field, it's in classes to. That's what I'm really doing to get to that next level, trying to do anything really to get to that next level no matter what," he said.
Charles said he has some amazing teammates and it's a brotherhood in and outside of the locker room. There's still one goal he wants his team to accomplish.
"Make it to the playoffs. You know, I have never been to playoffs since my freshman year so to probably make it to the playoffs this year to end it out good on my senior year," he said.
Shanga, who motivates you to play the game of football?
"My grandmother passing away just keeps me in the mindset of football. I just know I want to go far with this, that's all I think about when they pass away. That's why I really put everything on the field," he said.