HUNTINGTON -- During his four years at Cabell Midland, Pat Stapleton burst onto the athletic scene by playing a key role in three different sports.

Now all the experience he has gained in high school has given Stapleton the athletic edge to be a force at the college level.

Stapleton stayed extremely busy as a player on the Cabell Midland football, basketball and baseball teams. As a freshman, he even joined the track and field team.

That became a bit overwhelming, so he decided to stick with his favorites.

"I was always at practice and I never really got a break during my four years," Stapleton said. "I went straight from football to basketball to baseball and I really sacrificed nearly all of my free time. But, I think it was well worth it.

It wasn't a surprise when Stapleton's classmates voted him as "Most Athletic" as a senior.

He was no slouch in the classroom either, graduating with a 3.3 GPA.

Now, he's off to West Virginia State University in Institute as a walk-on catcher who wants to earn playing time and be considered for a scholarship.

"They have a good baseball program up there and I'm really looking forward to it," Stapleton said. "I think playing baseball will be a better choice for me because it allows me to stay local and I will have a better chance to play."

Stapleton was the only athlete at Cabell Midland to play football, basketball and baseball.

Most of today's athletes focus on one sport. But, not Stapleton.

His versatility that he exhibited as an athlete couldn't be matched. Stapleton played a wide variety of positions, where he excelled at every one of them.

He had a .352 batting average as Cabell Midland's senior catcher, going 30-for-85 at the plate with eight doubles, three triples and 24 RBIs. He earned a spot on the All-Mountain State Athletic Conference second team.

Stapleton handled kicking and punting duties and played wide receiver for the Cabell Midland football team.

He was 34-for-34 on extra point attempts and kicked four field goals last season. As a receiver he had seven catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns.

In basketball Stapleton was considered a shut down defender that specialized in covering some of the best players in the state. He also chipped in nearly five points a game.

"I had a blast playing all three sports," Stapleton said. "I'd give anything to play one more season of high school sports."

Stapleton is fine tuning his baseball skills playing for the Huntington Hounds travel team. The Hounds are in Marietta, Ga., this week for the Perfect Game Tournament.

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