SEATTLE- It felt like it was literally yesterday. Coming into O’Dea as a small, scrawny freshman.
Growing up, I was a big dog in a small pond. I went to a small private school where I was pretty much the best at everything. I was getting ready to go to my local high school, Hazen high school.
I grew up with one of my long-time best friends, Liam Flemming. Me and Liam both played on all sports teams with each other and went to elementary and middle school together.
Liam’s dad was an O’Dea graduate. He would always joke around saying that we both should go to O’Dea. I honestly didn’t even know what O’Dea was.
Eventually Liam and I started to entertain the idea. I took my 8th grade visit and instantly knew that this is a place I wanted to be. I wanted to be a part of this.
I came into the school freshman year looking forward to it. Covid had a hit this year. The whole year wasn’t the same.
I played football and baseball during my freshman year. I was super athletic, but I have always been undersized.
I played on the freshman team for football then I eventually got moved up to varsity. I played varsity baseball this year.
I wasn’t a contributor because I was so young but being on varsity teams these young gave me experience.
I came into sophomore year and continued to play both football and baseball. I was on varsity for both as well, but I contributed for baseball. I was the starting shortstop. I didn’t have the best year, so it gave me a chip on my shoulder to put in work in the offseason.
Going into my junior year I started to put in the work. I gave up football and started to focus strictly on baseball.
I had a great year and earned all league 2nd team. I was frustrated because I would get looks from schools, but they would lead me on and then ghost me. This is what drove me the most. Knowing I was good enough but just not being recognized for it.
Going into my senior summer I had a chip on my shoulder yet again. I grinded like I never have before. I lifted every day and trained every day. I put on about 15 pounds since my junior year.
I was finally getting the looks I wanted in the winter before my senior season. I picked up 3 d1 offers but they weren’t for as much money as I wanted.
I knew I was worth more than what those schools gave me. I knew I was more than a walk-on. I took that personal. I had arguably one of the best starts to a season in O’Dea history. Through my first ten games I hit .650 and lead the entire state in average.
I started talking to Central Arizona college. They are the best juco in the nation. They ended up giving me a full ride scholarship and I committed to play for them.
They are better than a lot of d1 schools and it felt so relieving to finally be committed. I always wanted to play college baseball. And I finally was officially going to at a high level.
To finish up my senior year I ended up hitting .420 and that earned me all metro first team. I was second in the metro league in average and led the league for most of the year. I am grateful for what O’Dea did for me on and off the field.
I would not be the person I am today without O’Dea. It shaped me into who I am on and off the field.
I can always look back and say I made the right decision on coming here.
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