Double play: Mapletown鈥檚 Vanata opts to play both football, baseball at West Liberty
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AJ Vanata was having a difficult time deciding what sport he wanted to play at the collegiate level.
The Mapletown senior had excelled on the football field under coach George Messich and played a key role in an undefeated regular season and a WPIAL playoff victory as a junior.
Vanata also sparkled on the baseball field for a Maples team that has needed someone to lean on during a rough stretch the past couple years under veteran coach Dave Bates.
Vanata had been recruited in both sports. He thought it out and then made his choice.
He would play both.
Vanata signed a Letter of Intent to attend West Liberty University which was interested in him in both sports. He intends to play football and baseball while furthering his education.
“I just love both sports and going out there and competing,” Vanata said. “It keeps me focused and locked in. I love playing them both equally. I couldn’t pick one or the other.”
In football, Vanata was a four-year starter for the Maples and a team captain. He was a four-time All-County and three time All-Conference, All-Area and All-District recipient.
“I’ll probably be on the defensive side,” Vanata said about where he’ll fit in on the West Liberty football team. “I have to work on the weights and hopefully get bigger. though.”
Messich always saw Vanata as a solid two-way player.
“He’s a really good power runner who also has some moves,” Messich said in the fall. “He’s a strong kid. He benches more than 300 pounds. But AJ is as good on defense as he is on offense.”
Vanata will be an infielder for the Hilltoppers baseball team.
“I’ll probably be a third baseman,” Vanata said.
Vanata is a four-year starter for the Maples baseball team. He’s a three-time All-County and All-Area honoree. Last year he was named as an All-Section awardee and was chosen to the Greene County Messenger Top 5 squad.
Bates commended Vanata for his work on the baseball diamond.
“AJ is the kid that comes every day and has fun. He’s the kid you like to coach and who makes it fun to coach,” Bates said. “He’s a great hitter and he’s a kid who will come and work on things he doesn’t do well.”
Bates pointed out Vanata has battled through injuries during both football and baseball season while at Mapletown.
“He’s a tough kid who will try to play through the aches and pains which he’s had this season with no complaints,” Bates said. “He’s a kid that will give you everything he has, and the other kids see that and they follow that. As a senior leader you couldn’t ask for anything more out of him. All the kids turn to him for leadership. He’s rock steady.”
West Liberty is an NCAA Division-II school located in West Liberty, West Virginia, and is a member of the Mountain East Conference.