After receiving an award from the National Football Foundation- St. Louis Tom Lombardo Chapter, the first question Mason Wendt could not help but ask was, ‘Did Duan (McRoberts) get one too?’ 

“We kind of do everything together. Every time I get an award, I see he gets the same one,” Wendt, a Wright City senior, said. “It’s been like this since we were in middle school so it’s cool.”  

Wendt was named to the prestigious Big Red Top 25 Team, an honor that celebrates exceptional athletic performance, while McRoberts earned a spot on the 2025 Elite-Eleven Team, which recognizes student-athletes who excel in both academics and athletics. 

McRoberts will receive $2,000 in scholarship money. 

Despite the individual recognition, the duo was quick to celebrate each other’s accomplishments, as their success has often been intertwined. 

“I was really happy and excited. I won a scholarship at a small school against who knows how many people that had the chance to get that scholarship,” McRoberts added. “I immediately told my mom.” 

After reading the paper which detailed his recognition a couple of times, Wendt was shocked to hear he first received the honor, adding he remembers being a freshman and seeing other athletes post about receiving the same award. 

“It’s an honor, especially coming from a small school. I’m glad that my hard work paid off and it shows the younger kids that are coming up into Wright City that stuff like this can happen,” Wendt said. 

Wendt, an offensive lineman, will continue his career at Missouri Western State University, while McRoberts, a running back, will play at Truman State University. 

The Wright City duo will be officially honored at the 34th Annual Awards night for the Tom Lombardo Chapter of the NFF on April 27.