Evan

What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

Evan loves to work hard but also has fun while practicing. He hustles. He never gives up. He also encourages his teammates to succeed. He is talented across multiple sports (versus focusing on one) but his true character shines in the little moments. He will cheer up kids that are in a slump. He will be the first to clap when someone injured stands up. He has a good attitude, whether winning or losing. While he is competitive and wants to win, he always shows respect to the opposing team.

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

His parents. His Dad is his biggest inspiration because he is also his head coach. He volunteers his time to coach him in football, basketball, baseball and golf. His Mom plays pickleball and tennis with him. He also loves collecting sports cards of his favorite pro athletes such as Michael Jordan. His favorite quote is “Tell Me I Can’t.” He loves to cheer on his favorite Cleveland professional athletes such as Donovan Mitchell, José Ramirez and Shedeur Sanders.

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

To our surprise, Evan said he wanted to try out for the track team this year because he told us he wanted to get faster. We were proud of him that he recognized he had an area of improvement and decided to make a commitment; without any outside pressure. It came from within. Not only did he enjoy track but he also found a new talent in the long jump and achieved a new school record. Some things you can’t teach/coach - self-motivation and determination is one of them!