By Ken Hansard
Brady Alonzo, senior catcher for the Chanute Comets’ baseball team, has his plan for the next few years mapped out. He has already signed to play football at the collegiate level next fall; however, on the cusp of his final baseball season, he just wants to concentrate on the present, “I’m excited to be playing baseball again. I have a special connection with the sport of baseball and deeply enjoy it. Hopefully, our team can help me go out with a bang this year.”
Brady worked hard in the off-season to improve his arm strength, but the work he put in has also provided some challenges of its own, “I’ve had a few minor injuries, whether from the weight room or from football, but I’ve just been trying to build muscle and improve my arm care routine.”
Although football is Brady’s primary sport and where he will make his living for the next few years, he has had plenty of success on the diamond for the Comets. “Our season last year ended with a tough loss at regionals to Paola. Despite that disappointment, I did make Second Team All-SEK, which meant a lot to me.”
As a football player, Brady received First Team All-SEK both as an offensive lineman and on the defensive line. He was also named First-Team All-State as an offensive lineman, and was selected as First-Team All-State by the Wichita Eagle. Brady was also recently honored by the Kansas Shrine Bowl as one of their selections for this summer’s game at Emporia’s Welch Stadium. But first, there is a baseball season to compete in, and Brady wants to use the respect that he has undoubtedly earned from teammates to lead his younger charges one last time and leave his legacy with the Comets. “I see a young team that needs leadership provided by our seniors. I just want to have a lot of fun and enjoy my last time playing baseball with these guys.”
Alonzo is a leader in the classroom as well, with an outstanding G.P.A. of 3.89. Next fall he plans to attend Emporia State on a football scholarship. He will study education and eventually plans to become a history teacher and coach.
