Phil Blank woke up early Monday morning, ate a semi-healthy breakfast and left his New York City apartment for an obligatory gym session.

Most 18-year-old men are inherently tight-bodied, but Blank is an atypical case. The former Lake City High School wide receiver has to maintain a physique worthy of casting calls from Gotham clothing lines, magazines and fashion shows. He gets about 20 a week.

When the blue eyes above Blank's high cheekbones aren't locked on to a camera lens, though, they're taking in the city's ample amenities.

"After work you have the freedom to do whatever you want," said Blank, a male model for Wilhelmina, a world-renowned talent agency. "You can skateboard, play basketball, visit Times Square, the Empire State Building. You name it."

Sharing a $13,000-per-month apartment with a group of other male models was something the lifelong Coeur d'Alene resident never fathomed a few months ago when planning to attend Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston while playing for the area's club football team.

A trip to Target in Hayden threw a wrench in those plans/Ryan Collingwood, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.

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