Connor Casaday is a stellar athlete and Sterling Scholar

Connor+Casaday+is+a+stellar+athlete+and+Sterling+Scholar

HARD WORK has the potential to go in two directions: good or bad. Connor Cassaday (12) is on the right side of that deal and has had success in baseball and also in school. He is excited for a fresh start this season, it being his final year. “My personal goals for this season are to get a base hit in very game that I play in and to get on base more than I strike out, but to also help my team succeed,” said Cassaday.

One benefit of starting the new season is that instead of being in 5A, they are now in 6A. It gives them an opportunity to play against opposing teams and to make it to the state tournament. “Conditioning is a huge part of the sport we have to be fit enough to play through all seven innings especially since the innings can vary in length,” said Cassaday.

During the offseason, Cassaday tries to stay in shape with push ups, sit ups and running to remain ready when the season comes around. “Connor is an awesome guy whenever you need him he is always there, he always helps you when you need help and even when you think you don’t need help is will still help you,” Colton Hunter (12) said. Connor’s greatest motivation this season is that he wants to leave the program on a good note and without regrets.

His biggest role model on the team is his assistant coach due to the legacy that he had left at the school for all of the future baseball players and teams. “The reason that I joined baseball is because I love to compete and playing baseball gives me that chance to compete,” Cassaday said. Wanting to play a sport is totally different than just playing to play.

For those special players who can do well in both school and sports have a very special talent that very few athletes have.

“My favorite feeling during a game is when are team is getting hot bats and when I go out as pitcher and shut the opposing batters down to help me team win,” said Cassaday. The best feeling in sports is when the team starts to do well because that causes you to bring everybody’s game up as well.

“I always try to keep my teammates in the game no matter the circumstances we are under,” said Cassaday. “He is a great teammate and a good friend,” said Patrick Rigby (12). When during games he attempts to keep a clear, calm, and collected head when the odds are either with them are against them.

“I have not played any other competitive high school sports, but given the chance I will play any sport with my friends,” said Cassaday. His favorite sports quote comes from the famous movie, The Sandlot: “Heroes get remembered, but legends never die. Follow your heart kid, and you’ll never go wrong.”Sports movies usually provide great sports quotes for athletes to live their lives by and provide inspiration for them.

“Before a game I take a few deep breaths and try to get in the zone,” said Cassaday. To get in the zone is very important, especially since you can’t perform if you are distracted. “Before I got into high school [my parents] would transport me to and from my games. Now they are sure to be there for me and support me in any sport and no matter what happen in that sport,” said Cassaday.

The sport has changed his life by allowing him to get out and do something with his life and has given him the chance to meet new people and forge new friendships.“You can always count on him when the game is on the line because he is always calm. He has many characteristics of a leader he is responsible, dependable, leader and very smart,” said Chris Freestone (11).

To give back to baseball, a sport that has done a lot for him, he wants to keep baseball in the family, especially when he starts his own family someday he hopes to encourage his kids to play the sport as he did.

He wasn’t satisfied with last season and hopes to redeem himself and come out on top for his final season as a Granger Lancer.

“The challenge that I look forward to the most this season is having a very prominent role in the lineup and hope to help prepare the new players to take over the ropes next season,” said Cassaday. Connor and the team have high hopes to come out on top this season and bring the title back to Granger for their last year.