Kanyon Mertz – Navajo High School Baseball
by Scott Metz
Navajo High School sophomore Kanyon Mertz has a passion for playing baseball. He plays the position of catcher the Navajo High School Indians. Many would consider Kanyon a baseball veteran, having stated playing baseball at the age of 3 years old.
Kanyon is proud to represent his school and community as a student athlete. Kanyon proclaimed, “It means so much to me to represent my school and community- it is hard to put it into words. Navajo’s motto is ‘Proud Past, Promising Future.’ There have been a bunch of really good ballplayers and more than that, really admirable and accomplished people come out of Navajo. I try my best to live up to their example.”
In terms of what motivates him, Kanyon stated, “I want to be the best ball player I can be. I have always been very competitive and use that in every at bat and in every pitch I catch. I want to make myself as dependable as I can be for my team. “
As far as what it has taken Kanyon to be successful in sports, Kanyon accounted, “I have spent a lot of time in the cage working on all areas of baseball: my swing, my receiving, my transfer speed, and my pop time. It never seems like work spending a few hours at the indoors with my teammates.”
When it comes to his biggest role models, Kanyon looks towards family as the source. Kanyon stated, “My biggest influences are my mom and dad. My dad has taught me pretty much everything and anything I know about the game of baseball. My mom has been there the whole time being my biggest supporter. My dad has given me my work ethic and determination. My mom has given me unending love and support. They mean the world to me. I hope one day I turn out just like them.”
After graduating from high school, Kanyon plans on pursuing playing baseball. Kanyon stated, “My dream has always been to be a professional baseball player. I will do whatever it takes to make that my reality.”
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