By Derrick Smith

Caden Gains is a senior and a multi-sport athlete for the Grove Ridgerunners. There is a lot of work that goes into being successful at a sport, but when it comes to playing more than one sport, you have to know how to prepare yourself for each one. Gains has figured out what it takes to be successful at each one that the plays. 

“I play baseball and football for Grove,” he said. “Baseball is all about repetition and working on your own time and doing the fundamentals. Football is really a lot of teamwork and everyone has to be on the same page and on board to win the games and be successful.”

Throughout his career, Caden has had a number of people that have helped him become the athlete that he is today. He says that there are two people that have made a really big impact on him. 

“One of the biggest influences in my life is Rick Tremble,” he said. “He really got me into the game of football and has taught all of us life lessons will never forget. For baseball, it would have to be my dad. He has taught me almost everything I know and also got me to love the sport and really have bonded with it.”

Gains has competed in a lot of games alongside his teammates over the years, but says that there are moments and teams that stick out in his memory.

“The highlight moment of my career would have to be a semifinal regional baseball game we played during my sophomore year,” he stated. “We were playing in Poteau and I was on the mound against the team that knocked us down to the loser’s bracket. I pitched a goose egg that game with no walks and I also hit a home run. The team I enjoy beating the most would have to be Hilldale. They knocked us out of the football playoffs during my sophomore year. Then in baseball, they had really cocky players and coaches we played them in regionals and beat them.”