By Ken Hansard
Senior third baseman Ian Nickelson of Southeast of Saline seeks to end his high school athletics career on a high note and add to an already impressive resume. Nickelson has won a North Central League championship (North Central Athletics Association) as well as a Kansas 3A State Championship in football. In baseball he was voted All-League last season after hitting .404 with 8 doubles.
The Trojans have a revamped coaching staff this spring and Nickelson says, “I’m excited to see what we can do with the talent of our team and the coaching staff. Of course we want to make a run in the playoffs. I know these guys want it bad.”
Nickelson is just the man to lead the charge. “Being a senior this season means I need to help lead the team and do what’s best for the team to improve and work at their highest level.”
A large part of that leadership will include helping his teammates to mentally overcome adversity, “It’s important to have the right mindset. There are many things in sports that can mess with your head, but it really comes down to the determination to get over that hump and keep giving it your all. I have worked to make sure I can lead the team by being positive even during the down times.”
If Nickelson and his teammates can maintain that attitude, the Trojans should have the pieces in place to help Nickelson finish his career in style
Following high school, Ian plans to go into the workforce and apply to study for certification in the HVAC field.
