Former Observer Athlete of Year set for grid season at Rhode Island
By Jim Hague
Mike Gross is ready for his junior football season at the University of Rhode Island, perhaps more than any other athletic season in his young life.
“I feel better and stronger than ever before,” said Gross, the North Arlington High School three-sport standout and the 2007-08 Observer Male Athlete of the Year. “I feel like I’m quicker than ever before. I’m definitely ready.”
For the better part of the last month or so, Gross has been doing his regular weight training regimen with other football players at both North Arlington and Queen of Peace. The 21-year-old offensive tackle is expected to be the starting right tackle for Rhode Island when the Rams open their season Sept. 10 at the Carrier Dome against Syracuse. Gross is on target to graduate with a degree in kinesiology, hoping to someday become either a strength and conditioning coach or a chiropractor. His life is on track.
To read the full story, see this week’s issue of The Observer.
