Preble High School, baseball
Parents’ names: Ryan and Melinda Pollen
Siblings: Jacob, Kayleigh and Sophia
Instagram: @nathan.pollen2
Position/Events: Pitcher/ Third base
Career highlight:
My career highlight is coming in second place at a big tournament in Milwaukee over the summer.
What inspired you to first pick up a baseball?
I was inspired to pick up a baseball out of the curiosity of being a kid and took it and ran from there.
How has balancing academics and athletics been different for you from freshman to senior year?
Freshman year was online, so I did not have much academics to balance with baseball. As the years went on it became more challenging to balance both, but I got it done.
What is the best part about competing?
The best part of competing for me is going out to battle surrounded by my family and friends every day.
Is there a favorite drill in practice that you enjoy doing?
My favorite drill to do is anything that involves pitching, whether that is flat ground work or throwing off a mound.
What is your favorite part about being on a team/participating in a team sport?
My favorite part of being on a team is the brotherhood that you build between you and your teammates; these relationships will last a lifetime.
Has there been an individual (parent/athlete/coach) who played a role in shaping the athlete you’ve become today?
My parents have been supportive, constantly pushing me to be the best person and athlete that I can possibly be. I owe the world to my parents, who gave theirs to shape me.
What is the hardest part about baseball?
The hardest part of baseball for me is the mental part. In a sport where if you succeed 4/10 times you are considered a hall of famer, self-doubt can get to you sometimes. That is the hardest part of baseball for me.
Being a senior, describe some leadership roles that come into play.
A lot of the leadership roles that come into play as a senior are the younger kids always looking up to you, seeing that you are older, and being a captain of the varsity team this upcoming year.
What is your ultimate pregame routine?
The right cleat always goes on first, along with the jersey, which never comes untucked if I can help it. Before I pitch, I draw a cross on the back of the mound with my cleat every game, too.
Favorite collegiate or professional sports team?
My favorite professional baseball team is the Milwaukee Brewers. There is nothing better than watching a Brewers game.
What is your favorite sports quote?
My favorite sports quote is a quote from Derek Jeter. It reads, “The last thing you want is to look back and wish you had worked harder or played harder.” This is my favorite quote because it reminds me to give 100% at whatever I am doing, especially playing baseball.
How does athletics make you a better student/worker/person?
Athletics has taught me discipline, and I have used that in everything that I do in life.
What age were you when you started playing baseball?
I was five years old.
Are there any memorable coaches or teammates you would like to give a shout-out to?
I would like to give a shout-out to the group of seniors that I play with at Preble High School. Without them in my daily life pushing me to be the best person and baseball player I can be, I don’t think I would still be playing baseball today.
What are your plans for the future (college/major/career)?
I will be continuing to play baseball at Lawrence University, where I will pursue a business degree.
Any advice you would give to your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to work as hard as you possibly can. Devote more time to the sport, and never give up.