Ron Coleman had a secret this year.

It wasn't scandalous. He just didn't want to risk missing out on an opportunity.

So he didn't tell anyone when his foot began hurting just before the district wrestling meet.

"I just iced it and when I taped it up, it felt better," the Omaha North junior said. "I didn't want anyone to tell me I couldn't wrestle."

Coleman won the district title, then won four matches at state to cap a perfect 35-0 season and earn his third state championship.

A few weeks later, when football coach Larry Martin insisted he see a doctor, Coleman ended up in a boot to protect his broken foot.

"After awhile, I guess I knew it was broken. It doesn't take three or four weeks for a sprained ankle to heal," he said.

Coleman, the Lincoln Journal Star Boys Prep Athlete of the Year, showed the same determination in football, where he earned first-team Super-State honors as a defensive lineman.

Coleman, who answers to the nickname "Burger," still hasn't decided if he'll wrestle or play football in college. He figures he'll have time to think about it.

However, summer camps in football, including one at Nebraska this week, as well as an appearance in one of the most prestigious wrestling tournaments in the country in July may speed up that decision.

"Football is more entertaining, more people watch it and you get to hit people and get away with it," he said, a sly grin spreading across his face.

The 6-foot, 245-pounder rushed for 800 yards, averaging 6.1 yards a carry, and scored 21 touchdowns, 13 of them in the Vikings' last four games. On defense, he had 48 solo tackles and 19 assists, three sacks and 10 tackles for loss.

"Running the ball is the most fun. I like to get into the defenders and look into their eyes before I run over them," he said. "Nothing personal, just business."

And he's willing to do what's necessary for the team.

"We had to work to figure out how to get him a few breathers," Martin said. "That's why it wasn't really a surprise that he didn't tell anyone about his foot. He wasn't going to be denied anything."

Coleman's versatility drew plenty of attention.

"(Bellevue West coach) John Faiman nominated 'Burger' for our Metro Conference lineman award. When we were done with that, he nominated him for the best linebacker," Martin said. "And then when we got to the defensive back award, he nominated 'Burger' even though he didn't play back there."

For all the havoc Coleman wreaks in football and wrestling, he has his sights set on being a calming influence in the future.

"I knew I wanted to study psychology, but I didn't want to be sitting in a room," Coleman said. "In industrial psychology, you see the ins and outs of a job and help managers see what is stressing the workers."

Coleman can become the 16th wrestler in state history to win four state titles.

Not since the first four-time champion - Herb Reese of Omaha Central - has a heavyweight accomplished that feat. Reese won titles at 155, 165 and 165 pounds before moving to heavyweight in 1947.

Coleman won as a freshman and sophomore at 215 before moving to 285 this year.

"The thing I like most about 'Burger' is his character," Martin said. "He's smart, he carries himself very well and he's always been respectful. He just has a lot of fine qualities."

Reach Ryly Jane Hambleton at 473-7314 or rhambleton@journalstar.com.