Student-Athlete Spotlight: Caleb Presley

Caleb Presley, a two-sport athlete, is recognized as the student-athlete spotlight for April.

Presley is a seventh grader who attends West Pine Middle School, where he plays football and baseball. He also plays on a travel baseball team. Presley started playing football at age 6 and now plays on his school’s football team as a defensive corner and plans to try out next season. 

Baseball is his favorite sport. He began playing at 4 years old in T-ball for recreation.

“There isn’t a point where it’s not fun. You are always learning something new,” said Presley.

On both of his baseball teams, he is a utility infielder. A utility infielder is a player who can play multiple positions. He plays shortstop and pitcher and can play third base when called on.

“Shortstop is my favorite position. You are in every play, and a lot of people rely on you every play,” said Presley.

With school ball wrapping up, travel baseball is just beginning. He began playing travel ball five years ago at the 9U level.

“I like it because you get to go to different places and meet other kids,” said Presley.

Presley is looking forward to his team traveling to Myrtle Beach and playing in the Cal Ripken experience.

“I hope we win it all,” said Presley. Travel ball has helped improve Presley’s game. “You play good teams, you learn more, and better competition makes you better,” said Presley.

Baseball takes a lot of his time with practices, games during the week and traveling on weekends, but it isn’t the only important thing to him. He makes sure he makes good grades in school and enjoys science and history. He loves spending time with his friends and his family.

Presley still has one more year at West Pine Middle School but looks forward to the future. He hopes to play at Pinecrest and has dreams of playing ball at UNC while studying business. After college, if Presley isn’t playing at the next level, he hopes to own his own business.

Every child baseball player dreams of hitting a walk-off home run, and that’s no different for Presley. He hopes to achieve that one day, but the game of baseball has given him other memories.

“Last season, I hit my first home run on my birthday,” said Presley.

Last year, he was a part of West Pines’ undefeated team, and they are currently undefeated this year.

To nominate a student-athlete to be featured in this series, please email [email protected].

Feature photo: Caleb Presley. Photo contributed. 

Sandhills_Sentinel~Written by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter Curtis Self.

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