Personal Bio:
I am18 and was a senior in the 2013 2014 school year. I have lived in Riggins, Idaho my whole life and love to hunt and fish. I’ve grown up around sports my whole life and it is pretty much second nature to me.
Favorite high school memory, so far?:
Winning back to back state championships in football and basketball.
What is something most people do not know about you? :
I like to salmon fish almost every day of the summer here in Riggins.
Any thoughts on where you want to go to college? Any offers yet?:
I will be playing football at BSU as a preferred walk on.
When you "grow up" what is your idea of the perfect job?:
I personally think going on to the next level of sports after college and playing pro ball would be the perfect job.
What is the best advice you have ever received and from who?:
From my dad - Nothing in life is free; it comes with hard work and extreme dedication.
What advice can you give the kids coming up on how to get the most out of their high school careers?:
Don’t take any classes and sports for granted. If you are going to do them, give your fullest effort and it will definitely pay off.
Your thoughts on being selected as one of the inaugural IdahoSports.com Student-Athletes of the Year?:
It is a great honor to be selected as one of the inaugural IdahoSports.com Student-Athletes of the Year, because I have followed IdahoSports.com ever since I have been in high school keeping up on power rankings and media polls, and enjoying the webcasts/photos that are posted.
Nominated by Debra Richerson, Principal at Salmon River HS:
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Leighton VanderEsch is an outstanding student and athlete at Salmon River High School. Leighton has continued to highlight the little town of Riggins on the map of outstanding athletes in the State.
Leighton is a student of high moral character as he shows respect to his teachers and coaches and to other staff at Salmon River High School. He has won numerous awards in sports and many in academics, but does not boast or brag about his accomplishments. He provides leadership in a distinctive way where most students are happy and excited for him, the team, the school, and the positive impact on Riggins.
Leighton is, by far, the most talented athlete at Salmon River and has catapulted an already distinguishable sports program to new heights in the last two years. While performing at such a high level on the field or court, Leighton has continued to earn high marks in school. Leighton has excelled in math and has taken two years of college level pre-calculus, trigonometry, and calculus. As such, he was asked to be a math mentor to younger students. He graciously accepted the challenge even with a rigorous basketball schedule in 2013/2014.
I, and many others, respect and admire Leighton’s positive attitude, enthusiasm, and work ethic. He shows up for school and practice every day. His many awards on the field/court and in the classroom are a testament to the kind of person he is and will continue to be. Undoubtedly, Leighton will continue the pace at Boise State University.
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