By Kiara Doyal
The Seattle Medium
Ingraham High School senior running back Logan Rudell made school history this past weekend as he became the Rams’ single-season rushing record holder during a 50-0 victory over the Garfield Bulldogs.
Rudell surpassed the previous mark of 1,293 yards set by Greg Lewis, a 1987 Ingraham graduate who went on to become a standout running back at the University of Washington and played in the NFL with the Denver Broncos.
With 1,499 rushing yards and one game remaining, Rudell has secured his place in Ingraham’s record books. He currently leads the Metro League’s Valley Division in rushing, with 578 more yards than the division’s second-leading rusher.
For Ingraham head coach Louis Torres, Rudell’s success is about much more than numbers. It’s the result of years of hard work, patience and determination that were evident from the moment Rudell arrived at Ingraham as a freshman.
“I really think about when he first came here as a ninth grader and told me that he can play and that he would be my guy. I then really put him to the challenge and placed him in situations to see if he could battle and earn that,” said Torres. “And in his sophomore year there were flashes of it, and then last year there were some really exceptional games where you realize, oh, this young man can be special, and he worked really hard. This year it has been even better than last year, so it’s pretty amazing.”
Rudell’s path to becoming Ingraham’s record-holder wasn’t an overnight success. He credits much of his development to learning patience and understanding that earning an opportunity takes time.
“I had to wait to earn my time. There were other great players above me, and I knew I had to wait for my time,” said Rudell. “I just had to let the process go through, helping develop me more as a player before I got my time to really shine.”
Despite his individual accomplishments, Rudell is quick to credit the teammates who helped make his record-breaking season possible.
“The recognition means a lot to me personally, but our O-line does a lot for me,” said Rudell. “I wouldn’t be able to do everything without the other running backs as well. They support me and even with getting their own runs, they help me be able to do what I can do.”
That team-first mentality is something Torres says has made Rudell an important part of the program, both as a player and a leader. His determination to get back up after every play and keep fighting is what sets him apart.
“His tenacity, never-quit kind of quality, the ability to go just to get back up at every play and just go, is not something that many people have,” said Torres. “Not many people who want to have the ball in their hand at the end of the game should actually have the ball in their hand at the end, and he is one of those guys that should have the ball in his hand at the end of the game because he’s going to give you everything he’s got to put his teammates in a successful position to win.”
That leadership extends beyond Friday night games. Torres points to Rudell’s commitment to offseason workouts, his willingness to elevate his teammates and his humility when things go well as qualities that make him a special player.
“In the offseason, he goes to all the workouts, and he’s been doing this for four years on the field; it’s really just about elevating his teammates. When they have success, he’s there to support them. He deflects his success and gives it to them,” said Torres. “There is a confidence and truly a humility that without these other guys, the success wouldn’t be what it has been.”
Rudell said there have been a few standout people who helped him reach this point. From the coach who has been there throughout his high school career to the brother who first introduced him to football, he credits their support and encouragement for helping shape the player he is today.
“Coach Torres, since the start of my football career, has been there every day, supporting me, putting me through all the tough times, and really helping me develop,” said Rudell. “And then I would also say my brother, he started playing football before me, and it’s how I got into it, and he always kept pushing me to be better and better every day.”
With his name now in Ingraham’s record books, Rudell is looking ahead to life after high school. While he hasn’t decided whether football will be part of his college experience, he plans to attend a university and explore the opportunities ahead.
“I haven’t really decided yet what I’m going to do after college, in terms of whether I am going to play in college or not,” said Rudell. “But I definitely plan on going to a university and seeing where that takes me.”
