Keaton Wheeler transferred to Covington High last November, but she isn’t a new face that her classmates and team have to learn.
As the daughter of Marty Wheeler, former football coach, she grew up in the north Tipton area and played with her current teammates in middle school, but when her dad took a job at Cleveland High School after her 8th grade year, she had to follow him.
Fast forward to the present, her family moved back before the final semester of her senior year, and she had a chance to play her senior season with her hometown team.
“I’m just glad to be back.” she said, “These girls have really just brought me in and it’s like I never even left.”
“She will,” Justus Cousar replied about Wheeler’s transition to the team, “It’s been not a huge transition because she knows everybody out here.”
Having close bonds already established made it easier to honor Wheeler when she signed to play to Dyersburg State on a softball scholarship. Wheeler expressed her views on the honor.
“It just feels really rewarding, and I’m really thankful that Coach White has given me the opportunity to be able to come and be a part of his program.”
During her three years in Cleveland she racked up numerous awards: Team MVP her sophomore year, two-time all-district player, and defensive MVP.
Cousar knows he will use her defensive talent to be a huge strength for the team this season, alongside her knowledge of the game.
“It just depends on what works out the best for us. Probably the best that about her is her versatility on defense, like she can play anywhere on the field.”
“She’s just such a good player, has a good softball IQ, knows what to do in situations. She just handles things that you don’t have to teach.” He adds.
Author: David Perry
Writer
