Hailey Degroff | The Chronicle
At 6’8” tall, Lenin Aguilar is a hard figure to miss, but his impact at Mason High School goes beyond simple physics. While football remains his primary focus, the senior has spent his high school career quietly dismantling the myth that modern athletes must specialize to succeed. By balancing time on the gridiron, the hardwood and the volleyball court, Aguilar proves that playing multiple sports is not about being the most dominant player in every arena but rather the internal drive to compete wherever the game is being played.
On February 4, 2026, Aguilar committed to play football at Fairmont State University, an NCAA Division II football program in Fairmont, West Virginia. His commitment to play football came at a unique time because on commitment day, he also had a commitment to get to basketball practice. When basketball season concluded on March 3, Aguilar wasn’t ready to relinquish his court time. Now, he has turned his attention to his role as a right-side hitter on the varsity volleyball team.
Basketball gave Aguilar a chance to compete and stay in shape, but football has been his true passion since his freshman year, when he took on the challenge of a new sport. Even while cheering from the sidelines in basketball, he remained focused on improving for football. CJ Fleming, MHS boys varsity basketball coach and one of Aguilar’s teachers, values his presence both on the court and in the classroom.
“I first met [Aguilar] on the first day of psychology class,” Fleming said. “[He was] hard to miss because of his size, but his bright personality and positivity really showed every day.”
Basketball has been a journey of persistence for Aguilar. After playing on the freshman team, he failed to make the junior varsity or varsity rosters his sophomore year, forcing him to take the winter off. He pivoted to football during his junior year, further delaying his return to the court. However, Aguilar’s senior year marked a turning point, fueled by a revamped sense of motivation and the arrival of a new head coach, Fleming. Encouraged by classmates and teammates to try out one last time, he successfully earned his place back on the team.
“Even though he did not play very much throughout the year, he brought us an enormous lift in practice with toughness, rebounding and fire,” Fleming said. “He also brought his positivity and encouragement every night on the sideline.”
Basketball was never a place for Aguilar’s personal gain, but an environment to have fun. Aguilar said that he never minded being on the second team or not playing much; he was there for the experience and to support his teammates. Aguilar’s drive and positivity have left a mark on his high school teams. With a background of being adaptable to multiple sports, Aguilar brings a unique and experienced skill set, something MHS boys volleyball coach Jordan Drake values.
“[Aguilar] brings a competitive energy to every practice and game,” Drake said. “His mindset pushes teammates to play better. The experience he gains from competing in different sports translates into strong athletic instincts, toughness and the ability to adapt in high-pressure situations.”
Whether on the basketball court, football field, or volleyball court, Aguilar embodies what it means to be a dedicated and encouraging athlete, ready for whatever comes next. Aguilar enjoys volleyball just as much as basketball and football.
“I just like the game,” Aguilar said. “I have always watched it, even when girls played it, but I knew all dudes can do it too, so I decided to play too.”
Football, however, has been Aguilar’s main focus since his freshman year. While Aguilar had the size necessary to play any sport, the hardest part of starting a sport in high school is learning the fundamentals.
“It was definitely harder, I did not technically have as much experience as everybody else,” Aguilar said. “I just have the size on everybody. So, [when playing], I would just be the most physical person and just give it my all.”
Despite having less experience, Aguilar admitted that his drive and natural athleticism has helped him to compete in all three sports this year. Next year, Aguilar is headed to Fairmont State in West Virginia, ready to continue his football journey. He originally was planning to go to Thomas More University and end his athletic career, but decided that he wanted the opportunity to play the sport he loves, even if it came with the challenge of fighting for playing time.
“I’ll compete for a spot,” Aguilar said. “If you compete, that basically says you have a chance to play. I will take that chance.”
