By Oscar Clark
SEATTLE - A senior leader on the golf team, Carter Gribble hasn’t been playing as long as one might expect.
“I started in 8th grade."
Unknown to most he began swinging the club as a substitute for baseball.
He said, “I got injured and couldn’t play baseball anymore, I was pretty good though.”
He recorded 2 home runs, one being a grand slam, in his last 12U season.
He was planning on going to and playing at his local high school, Mercer Island.
“I was forced to go to O'Dea by my parents, but I chose to stay because I liked the people.”
When asked what led him to the golf team he responded “I went to a freshman football kicking practice, there were a lot of guys, I didn’t want to split time with 5 kickers. So, I joined the golf team”.
This making him a 3-year veteran as he looks to lead the Irish to victory in his 4th and final year.
Gribble made the state tournament in the 2022-23 season; however, he landed short of where he wants to be. He said he is excited to get another shot and prove himself on a larger stage.
“This year I’m focusing on being a better teammate,” he says. Being a senior he is beginning to see more and more value in the bonds within the team. Players in previous years have had gripes about the team energy and how they support each other, Gribble aims to change that.
As the senior captain he has made it his goal to “encourage younger players to step up and lead, not only verbally but lead by example.”
He believes that will be the key to a good team chemistry, but not only that. He is trying to set up the program for future success by giving these younger guys a platform to learn and be heard.
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