West Noble athlete who serves community now ready to serve his country
LIGONIER, Ind. (BVM) – Michael Weaver is an 18-year-old athlete from Ligonier, Ind. Over the last four years, Weaver has starred in cross country in the fall, and as a pole vaulter in the spring at West Noble High School. But this athlete has been busy outside of sports, too, giving back to the community as his family always has. Now, Weaver will serve his entire country after joining the Marine Corps last month.
Weaver was a baseball player and wrestler growing up, but began focusing more on track and field and cross country when he got into high school. The 18-year-old competed in his first official race in second grade and continued to grow a love for running through his middle school years.
In track and field, Weaver specializes in pole vaulting, which he began in fifth grade. Weaver’s uncle actually excelled in the same event and still holds the pole vault school record at West Noble to this day. Knowing his uncle’s history along with the fact that it is a unique competition that not many people do, Weaver was intrigued to compete in it.
Going to pole vaulting camps throughout his junior high years, Weaver’s skill in the competition took off during high school, and he was typically jumping between 13 and 14 feet within the last year. Continuing to improve, the 18-year-old had his sights on breaking the 14-foot-6 school record pole vault his uncle had set years ago.
“I had been working really hard and I knew I could beat that record. I just needed that right day and the right time. I was really preparing for this senior season and for me, to break his record would have been the best thing in the world. I wanted to prove everyone wrong who told me I couldn’t do it and keep it in the family,” Weaver said.
But unfortunately, the pole vaulter would never get the chance after his senior track and field season was canceled due to COVID-19.
“It really is saddening because it is my senior year and is my last year competing because I’m not going to do any sports collegiately. All my friends will be going off to college and doing sports, but for me, this was my very last time I’d be able to run or compete for a team,” Weaver said.
Thankfully, Weaver was at least able to finish off his senior cross country season right last fall. Known for their cross country program, West Noble has had major success while Weaver competed as the team has made state consecutively the last three years.
This fall was Weaver’s and many of the Chargers’ favorite season as the team built on back-to-back state appearances by winning their conference championship and their sectional against cross country rival Westview, culminating in the third straight state appearance.
While the cancelation of a season is not how you want to see an athletic career end, high school has been about more than sports for Weaver. It starts with his work in the classroom, where he has been a part of West Noble’s National Honor Society.
“I really pushed myself hard to get in [the National Honor Society]. It’s an honor to be able to push yourself not only in a sport but in the classroom and just keeping a high academic level is very important for me,” Weaver said.
In addition to his work in the classroom, the 18-year-old has also taken advantage of chances to give back and serve his community. Weaver has been a part of his local 4-H club for almost a decade, and is now a mentor for younger kids in the program. The club has given the West Noble grad many new experiences and has helped him develop as a person. And now, the chance to teach and lead as a mentor is an opportunity he relishes.
“It’s really nice teaching someone that doesn’t know anything about animals how to take care of it and be responsible for it. Being able to teach them something and seeing them have the best time of their life is really great. It’s an awesome feeling knowing that you might have just changed a kid’s life, which not a lot of people get to experience,” Weaver said.
Weaver also makes time to volunteer with the Ligonier Fire Department, where his dad, Jeremy, is the chief. He is part of the cadet program at the department and enjoys being able to learn and also help people out.
“As I got older it intrigued me more. Seeing how they help people out even though they don’t know them and may never see them again is special. Around here we stick together and you get to meet new people and create a brothership,” Weaver said.
Along with his dad being the fire chief, the 18-year-old has numerous family members who have a history of serving the community, whether it has been as police officers, emergency medical services personnel or dispatchers. The family also has a history of serving its country, as his grandfather and uncle, among others, have been in the military.
Weaver joined the Marine Corps in June, and knew early on in his life he wanted to continue his family’s history and join the military.
“I knew I wanted to serve my country at a young age,” Weaver said. “There’s not a lot of people out there that want to serve so being part of that small group and keeping what I love safe really enticed me.”
Using an underdog mentality in his successful high school sports career, Weaver also credits that role as a reason for why he ultimately chose the Marines over other branches of the military.
“When I found out about the Marine Corps, it was nice because they are like the underdogs. They are one of the smaller branches and make do with what they have. They cherish their history so much. … They have the toughest boot camp and when you get out of it you just have so much respect for the Marines before you, the Marines now, and the Marines you will serve beside in the future,” Weaver said.
Weaver began his tenure in the Marines with boot camp last month, and is excited for his post-high school life. While he admits it is hard to leave his family, the 18-year-old has goals in place that he is eager to get started on.
“There are a few goals I would really like to accomplish. One would be to go Airborne School through the Marine Corps. I also want to enjoy learning new things while seeing the world and helping people out. There is just something special about it,” Weaver said.
The track and cross country athlete is enlisted with the Marines for four years, but will look to serve for at least two decades. After his service, Weaver strives to become a full-time firefighter or perhaps a police officer as well.
The Weaver family has a treasured history of serving, and based on Michael’s plans for the next several years, it is clear he will continue to carry on that tradition while also making his family, community, and country proud.
