*Nate hit .303 as a junior alongside 17 runs scored and 13 RBIs. He was an imperative piece to a Shermans team that finished 15-8 overall and 10-4 in the Scioto Valley Conference. This past winter, he helped Unioto win a share of the SVC title and finish the season at 20-4 while shooting 42 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.
CREDIT: Jenny Campbell/SOSA
I would like to start off by giving a thank you to my parents, all my teammates, and coaches for helping me become the person I am today. Each of you have had a positive impact on my life, both on and off the field or court, and have taught me lessons I’ll never forget.
The last four years at Unioto have given me unforgettable moments. In basketball, there have been many ups and downs. Going from freshman, to junior varsity, to varsity has been a journey of growth and taught me to look up to the upperclassmen. When I became one, I needed to make sure I was someone to look up to. All those long summers of work finally paid off this season … the season that no one thought was possible but us. I am glad I got to share a locker room with all 12 of those guys who 100 percent believed what we were capable of and I would do anything to have it back.
When basketball ended, I began looking forward to baseball. All four years have been amazing with everyone I shared it with. I got to experience district finals as a freshman and a district crown as a sophomore. This year, we felt we had something special with this team. We began early workouts and we started setting goals. We wanted to set records.
I would’ve gotten to share a dugout full of guys who were ready to battle at every game. Every teammate was willing to accept their role and we knew what we were capable of. I would do anything to take one more grounder, hit BP one more time and be on that field again with my brothers.
We all hoped we would get that chance, but it wasn’t meant to be. We all now begin a new chapter in our lives and remember this one as the year that could have been. I will never forget my high school teammates and wish them success as we head off in different directions, but Unioto will always be home.
Thank you again to all of you that have had my back over the last 13 years and a special shout out to Sherman Nation for always being in the stands to support me, and to my teammates and SOSA for being there to cover it all.
I am excited to start my next chapter at Muskingum University to major in Chemistry and play baseball.
Nate Keiser, Unioto senior