Mustang born, Mustang bred, going to be a Mustang ‘til the day I’m dead.
That is the Oakdale High School motto and many alumni live and breathe by that very creed. For current OHS senior Frankie Trent, those are more than just words; it’s his lifestyle.
“When Frankie was younger, I asked him if he would want to move to the ocean. He replied ‘Yes, but it would be cool to be a Mustang’,” recalled his mother, Shannon Trent.
From that day on Trent set his sights on being a part of the OHS Mustangs. His love of high school sports is evident through the hard work and determination which he displayed on the football field and on the wrestling mat throughout the year. However, he is also equally impressive in the classroom.
“He is the kind of kid that you want your own kid to grow up to be like. He is the ideal student athlete; equally hard working both in the classroom and on the athletic field, a great role model for others to follow, a great representative of OHS and genuinely a good person,” commented Oakdale High School Principal Mike Moore.
Currently the senior holds a 3.75 GPA and is in the midst of his final high school wrestling campaign.
He is also a proud member of the OHS Fellowship of Christian Athletes, FCA club.
“Jesus Christ is my Lord and savior and I’m proud to be a part of the club. I think it is a great club and we have amazing members to help spread the word and it is inspirational for other athletes at OHS,” said Trent.
Oakdale varsity football accomplished many feats this past season, won a share of the Valley Oak League title, and were also crowned the 2014 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division III champions. Trent was the team’s starting fullback where he racked up over 1,600 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns. A standout game for Trent and the Mustangs was the inaugural Friday Night Lights series that was held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, home of the San Francisco 49ers. Trent rushed for 223 yards and scored six touchdowns in the team’s 42-21 victory over VOL rival Manteca. Both of Trent’s accomplishments that day are current records at Levi’s Stadium.
He was named the Valley Oak League’s Most Valuable Player for the 2014 football campaign, took home the Mustang team MVP award and was also selected for the Black Hat Player of the Year award.
“Frankie is reliable and dependable. He will give you everything he has for the better of the team. Every play of practice his effort was tremendous. A lot of people think that they or their child gave it their ‘all’; most don’t and are not even close,” pointed out Mustang head football coach Trent Merzon. “Frankie literally gave it his ‘all’ every day. He also always expected more of himself than he ever asked of his teammates. Truly deserving of any accolades he attains.”
Merzon coached Trent for three seasons on the gridiron.
No rest for the weary, just two days after his season and high school football career ended, Trent jumped into wrestling practice. With less than a week to prepare, he hit the mat and took first place at the Morning Star Invitational in the 180-pound weight class.
To help stay in shape, Trent gets up at 5 a.m. and runs approximately four miles before school. His school day begins at 6:15 a.m. with a weightlifting class.
As the school year begins to fade away, Trent’s school records and legacy will live on far past his graduation date in May. The impact that he had, whether it was on the field, mat or classroom and the friendships he has made with teammates and others on campus outside of sports, is chronicled through yearbooks and social media.
Life after high school is always an adjustment, but Trent is currently looking into several colleges and universities to help with the transition. His future goal is to become a firefighter.
“It is the ultimate team sport of life,” Trent said of his career choice. “You have to look out for one another and be there to support your fellow firefighters.”
