By: MICHAEL GRECO (NorwalkReflector.com) –
“I like the idea that people can take a positive message from my situation. The focus from the beginning has been to do something positive from something negative.’’

Those were words Tyson Gentry conveyed to both Norwalk and St. Paul student-athletes during Monday’s Rotary Club awards assembly at the NHS Performing Arts Center.

Two athletes from each school — Andrew Woods and Katie May from the Truckers and Adam Pugh and Miranda Allen from the Flyers — were seniors recognized for being a student-athlete, as well being involved in different school activities.

Gentry is a Perkins graduate who played football at the Ohio State University.

But during a spring practice in 2006, Gentry, a third-year sophomore walk-on, was hit when he caught pass and suffered a broken C-4 vertebra in his neck. After surgery, he gained movement of his arms.

Gentry continues to rehab five days per week and is scheduled to graduate in June with a degree in speech and learning science.

“I took 10 hours a per quarter after my injury,’’ Gentry said. “It’s been a whole adjustment period. When you do have a setback, there will be an adjustment period. I’ve have great family support and great friends to pick me up.”

His message to those in the auditorium was, “Overcome any setbacks they may experience, like bad grades. Things always don’t go as planned.’’

Gentry takes one day at a time.

“All spinal cord injuries are different,’’ he said. “I’m very happy with where I am. I’m focusing on things can always be worse.’’

Gentry, who earned OSU’s Bo Rein Most Inspirational Player Award at the annual football banquet awards Dec. 7, has leaned on his family, which includes parents Bob (who also played football for OSU in the 1970s) and Gloria and older sisters, Natalie Karr and Ashley Gentry during this time.

“Natalie is a teacher at Oak Harbor,’’ Gentry said. “Ashley deferred a year of grad school to help me. Everything you see and read is because of them. From the beginning, she has really stepped up.

“She and I lived together before I was injured. She helps me with getting my routine going and figuratively getting on my feet.’’

During a question and answer session from the audience, Gentry even talked about OSU football.

“Coach (Jim) Tressel is really a great guy,’’ Gentry said. “The first thing I remember about meeting him in summer camp he said ‘Gentry, how are things in Perkins?’ He knows where you’re from and you’re family.

“He’s really down to earth and a great role model.’’

Gentry has been part of five straight wins over the University of Michigan, but said prescription drugs without prescription his favorite moment was when the Buckeyes beat the Wolverines, 25-21 in 2005.

“That’s the most exciting moment overall,’’ he said. “We played at Michigan and I got to travel and beat them there. We had to comeback and (Heisman Trophy quarterback) Troy (Smith) and the guys did a great job.’’

During Michigan week in November 2008, Tressel asked Gentry to address the crowd at Skull Session, a pep rally held at St. John Arena prior to each OSU home game.

During the Tunnel of Pride introductions for the senior class, Gentry was the final player to take the field — even after the intros of the four co-captains.

The Buckeyes are going for their fifth straight Big Ten crown in 2009.

Two have been outright — in 2006 and 2007 with two shared — 2005 and 2008.

Gentry believes OSU will be in the conference hunt, despite big departures both offensively and defensively.

“We have guys ready to step up in new roles,’’ he said. “I’m sure the guys will be ready to fill those roles.’’

Gentry is continuing on with his education with graduate school in the fall for a master’s degree in speech language pathology.

“I’m trying to maintain normalcy,’’ he said. “I’m finding different ways of doing things. It could always be worse. I could still be paralyzed from the neck down.’’

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