Nickolas Cooney is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Horizon Honors High School for AZPreps365.com

 

Stetler Huth made the decision to go to online high school his freshmen year.

“It’s just much more independent and that’s what I like about it,” said Huth, a senior. But there’s a downside. The Horizon Honors pitcher and left fielder only relates to his teammates in practice.

His days are different since he does not go to Horizon Honors classes. Huth said he works on two classes a day, usually around two hours each. That means more free time for Huth.

“For the most part I just like to do my own thing. I usually like to wake up and do my school work in the middle of the day and end roughly at 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. then take a break just to let my mind refresh and in like an hour or two I’ll go out and do something, I have a park I’ll walk to sometimes and I’ll do my own thing,” Huth said.

Horizon Honors allows online students to play sports or join other school programs and attend school events. Huth plays baseball and attends school functions like the school prom.

Head coach Tom Kandler knew of Huth from coaching against him but he did not know he was attending online school until he got the job at Horizon Honors.

“I’m glad that they allow kids to do that and that we are welcoming of it as a school and it’s a great opportunity for him,” Kandler said.

Close friend and teammate Quincy Jacobs sees online school as a plus for sports.

“I think being homeschooled would overall just give you more time to work on your mistakes and grow as a player,” Jacobs said.