How O’Dea Athletics Built Chris Laylo

SEATTLE-As a freshman, Chris Laylo did not expect sports to be a big part of his high school life. He had not played much before coming to O’Dea and was unsure if football or track would be for him. But once he got on campus and saw the athletes around him, something changed. “I didn’t really see myself as an athlete at first,” Laylo said. “But seeing the athletes at O’Dea and how hard they worked made me want to be like them and push myself.” 

Laylo chose football and track because of the culture at O’Dea. He saw the work ethic, pride, and brotherhood in the upperclassmen and wanted to be part of it. What started as trying something new quickly turned into growth. 

Through both sports, Laylo built discipline and confidence. Balancing school with practices, games, and meets forced him to manage his time and stay focused. He learned to hold himself accountable and give full effort every day. 

Now as a senior, Laylo leads by example. He brings the same focus and responsibility from the field into everyday life. For Laylo, O’Dea athletics did more than build an athlete. They helped shape his character and prepare him for what comes next.