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22 MICHAEL TWETEN M H J ON L I N E . C O M | M A R C H 2 0 2 0 as the Bison varsity football coach before resigning following the 2019 season. "We have to have numerous kids playing multiple sports for us to be successful." Bouman first saw Tweten as a freshman football player. Throughout high school, Tweten was among those who not only was on the football field for Buffalo but also played another sport. For Tweten, that meant hockey. "Everyone is super understanding of what we have to do when playing more than one sport," Tweten said. "We know it takes time and it keeps everyone busy." Aaron Johnson, the Bison boys' hockey coach, met Tweten a few years earlier. He saw a kid who came into the high school pro- gram as someone who had developed athleti- cism from playing multiple sports. "Whenever he's been here with us in off-ice stuff, he's always been the fastest," Johnson said. "You see the athleticism right way. "Whenever we do a new lift or a new move- ment, he does it with ease." Tweten continued with football and hockey as an underclassman. He impressed coaches with not only his athleticism but commitment to his team. During his sophomore football season, Tweten was on a sophomore team struggling to find a quarterback. Tweten, who didn't have quarterbacking experience, stepped up for his team. "He wasn't the prototypical quarterback," Bouman said. "But he took advantage of what he was good at and did well. He showed he was just a kid that was willing to do whatever it took." MAKING IT HAPPEN Heading into his junior season, Tweten was a still a factor in both of his sports. He was part of a Buffalo football team which went 6-2 in the regular season. That year, Tweten played defensive back for the Bison. In nine games, Tweten recorded 34 tackles to go along with a pair of forced fumbles and two interceptions. On the ice, Tweten began playing on the Buffalo hockey team as a physical forward for the Bison. A year later, Bison won the Mississippi 8 Conference after going a perfect 10-0 in con- ference play. Tweten contributed two goals and two assists that season. Throughout his athletic career—specifically in high school—Tweten saw how being a multi- sport athlete benefitted him. "No matter what sport, I've just worked hard to improve myself as a player and an all-around athlete," Tweten said. "The work I put in for whatever sport always paid off in all my sports." The coaches also noticed. "There are different aspects to every sport, but one thing that's always there is that things don't always go your way," Bouman said. "You see guys who can handle that who have seen it in other sports." Following his football and hockey seasons, Tweten attended an Iowa State football camp in the spring for recruits. He had his eyes set on playing football in Ames, Iowa. "Football has always been my favorite sport, and I hoped I'd have the chance to play it at the college level," Tweten said. "I had a good junior season and worked on putting film out there so coaches can see." SAVORING HIS SENIOR SEASON While Tweten was attempting to show college coaches he had what it took to play college football, he walked the walk this past fall. After being a defensive back for Buffalo as a junior, Tweten started playing on the offen- sive side of the ball as a wide receiver. By the time the season was over, Tweten had plenty of accomplishments to his credit. The senior finished the year by setting school records in receptions (95), receiv- ing yards (1,386) and touchdowns (17). All three of those marks were good enough to lead the entire state. "It's amazing how Michael made that switch," Bouman said. "He showed again that he can do whatever is asked of him. To go from not playing one snap of offense as a junior to his run as a senior was incredible." In the midst of his senior season success, Tweten announced on Nov. 19 he was head- ing to Iowa State as a preferred walk-on. Shortly after his announcement, Tweten was set to start his final season of high school Photos / Tweten Family, Robert LaPlante "No matter what sport, I've just worked hard to improve myself as a player and an all-around athlete. The work I put in for whatever sport always paid off in all my sport." – MICHAEL TWETEN Tweten led the entire state in catches, receiving yards and touchdown receptions this fall.