By Matt Browning

Cort Ott from Circle was voted as the Wichita Small Schools Preseason Linebacker of the Year. Ott received 24,019 votes, which was 33 percent of the overall votes.

“It means a lot (to be voted),” Ott said. “I’ve worked really hard this offseason and getting recognized is something special.”

Last season, Ott recorded 62 total tackles, 39 solo tackles and one fumble recovery and is averaging 12.6 tackles per game this season.

“I’m very happy with my individual performance this season,” Ott said.

One of Ott’s focuses this season has been to improve his physique and gain weight.

“I’ve really been working hard on getting my weight up,” Ott said. “Last year I weighed 165 and this year I’m just about 200 pounds.”

Ott is undecided on where he wants to go to college or if he wants to play football.

“I plan on going somewhere for engineering school,” Ott said. “But I’m undecided on where I want to go to school.”