Beau Bearden/The Ardmoreite
It’s no secret that dual-sport athletes are dwindling, especially in a generation when so many are focusing their attention on one passion.
Don’t tell that to Riley Grant of Plainview High School because she excelled in the circle and on the basketball court. That success didn’t go unnoticed when Grant was named Athlete of the Year at the Best of the Arbuckles Preps banquet.
“As a freshman basketball player, she wasn’t shy about telling you what she wanted to do when she got to college,” said Chad Walker, Lady Indians basketball coach. “But I remember having a conversation with her during her freshman year that if she wanted to be a next-level two-sport athlete, she could make it because she worked so hard. And she could, even now as a senior. But she wanted to go to Division I and be a pitcher at a D-1 school. She set herself these goals and she achieved them.”
It’s safe to say that her talent was particularly evident when she took the field, which was underscored by receiving top honors in both softball seasons.
“She’s earned all-states in fastpitch and slowpitch, so athletically she’s one of the best I’ve ever coached,” said Plainview softball coach Brandon Ybarra. “She’s great individually, but you can definitely tell when she’s out there in the circle, on the field or anywhere else, she has a great presence about her. She knows she’s one of the best on the pitch right now.”
A quick look at the statistics of your senior campaign is enough. Grant finished with a 16-5 overall record highlighted by 233 strikeouts and a 1.23 ERA in 136 innings of work.
That success helped propel the Lady Indians to the semifinals of the Class 4A State Tournament, where they lost to eventual champion Lone Grove.
“Your demeanor sets you apart,” Ybarra said. “She is very balanced, doesn’t let anything get to her or upset her. She’s just doing a great job of staying calm in the moment. Don’t let anything get too big, no matter what situation she’s in. Again, stay calm in the moment and be able to perform at your best at that point.”
Grant has been able to do that in softball and basketball, and Walker admitted he’s coached three to four girls who could be successful as two-sport players to the next level.
This shows how difficult it is to find athletes like Grant.
However, her success didn’t come overnight as she put in countless hours of practice to reach this level.
“It’s her drive that sets her apart,” Walker said. “She knew what she wanted and she went out and got it. Her pursuit of success no matter what she does – whether it’s softball, basketball or if she would have become a track and field athlete. Whatever it was, her drive to succeed would have gotten her there.”
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