The Visor

Cyclops Max Straus man, not monster

February 18, 2010

Ryland Parnell

Walking the halls of Hoban, it is a common occurrence to hear the voice of Max Straus, but that doesn’t mean he can see you. Max has been working hard this year on the wrestling squad and has built a record of 9-13 in the 140 lbs. weight class. Max suffered an injury towards the tail-end of the 2008 football season. The injury left him partially blind in his left eye, but Max saw nothing but opportunity as he wrestled, ran cross country, and was a part of the track team in the spring. Hoban’s favorite cyclops sat down with the Visor to discuss life seeing only half the picture:

Q: How is your wrestling season going so far?
A: Good. Sectionals are coming up and I’m just trying to keep improving.
Q: How did you damage your vision?
A: I tore my optic nerve in my left eye and now I have spots of vision.
Q: Does this change your style of wrestling?
A: Yea, it’s made me work harder and I had to get quicker. I have to practice to protect my left side.
Q: Do you see any advantages?
A: Besides saving money on a contact, it makes me focus more on the mats.
Q: Has this injury changed your lifestyle?
A: No not really. I’m still able to drive and I have not really been affected.
Q: If you could say one thing to a person who is going through the same thing that you are what would it be?
A: I would say keep trucking because you still got one eye.
Q: Who are some of your idols?
A: My grandfather and Brother Ed because when I got my injury he never treated me different and he has a killer mustache.
Q: What song do you listen to before you get on the mat?
A: Usually Phil Collins or Till I Collapse by Eminem.
Q: If you could be any animal in the world what animal would you be?
A: An eagle so people could call me eagle eye.

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