By Blake Chadwick
Leadership has become a main quality for Hutchinson Trinity senior Drew Dechant.
The senior has years of experience across multiple levels of baseball and a commitment to setting the tone for his teammates.
“One of my biggest strengths is the experience and leadership I’ve gained over the years,” Dechant said. “I’ve played on a lot of different teams, from rec ball to summer scout teams, and those experiences have helped me learn how to lead whatever team I’m on.”
That leadership has helped shape the identity of the Trinity team this season. According to Dechant, the strong bond between teammates has been one of the biggest reasons for the team’s confidence heading into the year.
“Our biggest strength right now is our brotherhood,” Dechant said. “We all get along and have fun, and in my opinion having fun leads to confidence and success.”
Dechant has been around the game for most of his life, spending the past 13 years developing his skills and learning the nuances of the sport. His mindset remains simple both in practice and in games.
“My mindset is the same whether I’m practicing or playing,” Dechant said. “I just want to be the best I can be that day and help everyone around me play better.”
That mentality has helped Dechant step into a leadership role for a team that features several players committed to building a winning culture. He credits teammates such as Sam Vogel, Kaid McElgunn, Gage Schroeder, and Bryan Maya for helping maintain that focus.
“Thankfully I’m not the only leader on this team,” Dechant said. “When you have that many guys who care about the team, it makes it easier for everyone to stay focused and work toward the same goal.”
For Dechant, the long-term goal for the Celtics remains clear.
“Our team goal is to get to state,” Dechant said. “We’re focused on doing that one game at a time.”
