Caleb Gottry attends Chandler Preparatory Academy and is a member of the AIA’s Student SID program.

The Chandler Prep baseball seniors have a lot of letters—varsity letters—in a lot of different sports. The season was a rough one, with several inexperienced ball players joining the team. The season ended in two losses that knocked the Titans out of playoff contention, but the seniors always kept their heads up high as an example to the younger players. Even those of the seniors relatively new to baseball showed athleticism, courage, and a strong work ethic that was seen in the dugout, the field, and the school hallways. Head Coach Vilaboy wanted to specifically recognize all-star pitcher, Crew Cascaes, in addition, for his skilled leadership as a player:

“Crew is probably the best pitcher that has come out of this program. He’s absolutely going to be number one or number two in the conference as a pitcher and I’m going to try and convince him to pitch at GCU. Crew’s been dedicated and so hard-working and he always shows up for four years. I’m going to miss him. It’s really hard to look past that right now.”

The seniors were honored in front of their parents and friends after their last home game. Read aloud were their responses to four questions about past memories and influences as well as words of wisdom for the team and future plans after graduation. The following are some of the responses that stood out. Titan Up.

Question: What are some of your favorite memories or moments from playing Chandler Prep baseball?

Grant Peake (OF): My favorite moment from baseball was junior year on the way back from River Valley. Even though we lost, we knew that this was the last time we had together as a team so we ended up jamming in the back of the bus for at least two hours of the four-hour drive. Moments like these where the team got to enjoy the moment together were my favorite.

Tyler Severa (OF): There are so many memories, and too many to list, but one of my favorite memories was when we beat Phoenix Country Day this year. I felt that this game we played as a team and we hit up and down the order. This was also the game Emet hit a homerun, but didn’t smile once. For the record, Emet did smile after the Arete game.

Question: Who were some of your biggest influences at Chandler Prep as a baseball player and scholar athlete?

Sam Davis (OF): I have always looked up to my teammates, but especially Crew. I look up to Crew as a baseball player and have aspired to be as good as him. Although this is where my baseball career ends, he has always been someone I admire. I want to thank my family for always being at my games and helping me with even the little things in this complicated game. I would finally like to thank the team managers for all they have done this season.

Noah Rasmussen (UTIL): I want to thank the coaches first for taking me in and teaching me all I needed to know in such a short time. I also want to thank my teammates for the support, especially when I would mess up. I want to thank Grant for being my throwing partner, Keegan for dealing with me at third base, and Ash for catching some of my atrocious pitches. I finally want to thank my parents for supporting me in my short baseball career and for coming to all the games they could.

Question: What advice do you leave with next year’s returning players?

Crew Cascaes (P): To the returning players, I want you guys to realize how much the game means to you. I know everyone says this, but take the time to appreciate every moment before it's gone. It seems like yesterday that I got my first start on the mound against ALA, and now here I am a few games from it being over. No matter what, have fun on the field and in the dugout with your boys. And remember, lefties can play shortstop, and pitchers are athletes, too.

Jake Davis (2B): Be Aggressive. I know it’s something we never stop hearing, but it is what helped me. Putting my body on the ball and swinging without fear is what made me into a baseball player.

Jaden “J-Dawg” Nelson (SS): If I could leave any advice, it would be to have faith in the journey we call life. That looks differently for everyone. For some, it may be in God, and others it may be in your abilities. But no matter what you believe in, find something to trust in—find something to work for. Understand that not everything will work out a hundred percent the way we plan it. Trust me: after literally breaking my back trying to play baseball, I understand this more than you could know. But, never let failure nor fear stop you from reaching your dreams. Always fight against opposition and be positive with who you are, where you are, and that everything will work out the way it’s meant to as long as you keep trying.

Question: What are your plans for next year – post CPA?

GP: Next year, I plan to attend ASU and study construction management.

TS: After graduating from Chandler Prep, I will be attending GCU with Crew and studying sports management.

SD: My plans for next year are to attend ASU and study psychology.

NR: I will be attending Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York and will study architecture. I am also playing basketball at the collegiate level for the next five years at Pratt.

CC: Next year I will be attending Grand Canyon University Honors College and will be majoring in Business Management and minoring in Sports Management while rooming with Tyler.

JD: My plan is to go to college at Hawaii Pacific University to study marine biology. I plan to play in some intermural sports and baseball will for sure be one of them.

JN: After CPA, I will be attending Texas Christian University where I will study exercise science in order to pursue my goal of being a sports physician.