Richland 200: No. 1 Shelby Grover was Richland County's lone 3-sport All-Ohioan in 2021-22

LUCAS − Before her junior year, Shelby Grover made a bet with her classmates.

The bet? If they would come out for track and help the program grow the numbers, she would play softball during her senior year.

Don't worry, she will still run track, but she promised to play softball when she could. Not much rattles the No. 1-ranked athlete in the Richland 200, but even Grover is sweating a little bit thinking about the possibility of her picking up a bat again. Grover played softball as a youngster before entering high school. She played on many travel teams and was pretty darn good at it.

"I made a bet that I would play softball my senior year if more people came out for track," Grover said. "Now, I am not so sure. But I played all kinds of travel sports from soccer, volleyball and softball when I was a kid. I played everything. But I couldn't hit. I was so bad at hitting that I just bunted every time and tried to get on using my speed. I was not a power hitter. I was only like 90 pounds and not strong at all."

But could she really pick up a bat after all these years and be successful in the sport? There is one person who believes the answer is an unqualified yes.

When Grover was 8 years old, her mom, Kathy, put out a call to one of her coaching friends to see if he would be interested in working with her youngest daughter on some of her softball skills. That person happened to be Madison coach Tim Niswander.

Knowing nothing about Grover, Niswander couldn't believe what he saw during the first training session.

"She was probably in fourth or fifth grade playing travel softball and her mom, who I am friends with and coached travel softball together because all of her girls used to play softball, called me and asked if I minded coming down to work with her," Niswander said. "She wanted to learn how to slap and was working on pitching mechanics.

"So, I went down there and even at that age, man, you knew she was a stud. You never want to put an expectation on a kid at that age, but you could tell, she had a chance to be an All-Ohio softball player. Then, she gets to high school and it is her fourth-best sport."

He isn't wrong. Grover likely made the right decision to stick with track over softball when she reached high school. She is a two-time All-Ohioan during her career and likely would have been three had her freshman track season not been canceled by COVID. During her junior year alone, she earned All-Ohio honors in three events, placing second in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.88, third in the 300-meter hurdles (44.39) and second in the long jump with a leap of 17 feet, 11¾ inches.

But could you imagine what she could have done on the softball field if she can run the 100-meter hurdles in 14.88? Niswander believes she could have made one heck of a slap hitter.

"I didn't work with her a lot," Niswander said. "We just went down to the cage at Lucas a couple of times, and I am telling you if that kid was playing softball she would probably be the best softball player in our area. She would probably be All-Ohio in that, too."

Niswander, who was the softball coach at Lucas until 2012, saw what everyone in Lucas sees in Grover whenever she sets foot on the volleyball and basketball court or on the track.

"Her overall athleticism is impossible to ignore," Niswander said. "Mix that with her fast-twitch muscles that are a necessity in softball and she had those. She could turn the bat and obviously she could run. She had to work on some pitching mechanics, but she had everything it took to be a great player.

"Everything came naturally to her. When you get kids who are naturally gifted and they work really hard, that is when you get the Leah Boggs and the Shelby Grovers."

Grover no doubt possesses the natural ability and a work ethic unlike any other.

In volleyball, she was the only player to earn All-Ohio in Richland County. She was also named the Mansfield News Journal volleyball player of the year when she finished her junior year with 344 kills, 61 aces, 147 service points, 43 blocks and 337 digs. She is about to eclipse both the 1,000-kill and 1,000-dig milestones.

In basketball, she averaged 20 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists on her way to special mention All-Ohio honors in Division IV, the second time she earned those accolades in her high school career and the second sport during her junior season in which she was recognized as one of the best in the state.

Then, she did what she did at state in track and cemented herself as the only Richland County athlete to earn All-Ohio honors in three different sports during the 2021-22 athletic season.

"I still haven't really processed that," Grover said. "People ask if I really am a two-time All-Ohioan in basketball and track and if I really earned All-Ohio honors in three sports. I just don't think of those things right now. I will process it eventually, but not right now."

No, right now, she is focused on her senior year and making sure she doesn't feel the disappointment she felt leaving Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium without a state championship medal around her neck. She did leave with two silvers and a bronze, though, which is more than 99% of the athletes participating at state can say.

It took a little time, but Grover came around to the fact she should be extremely proud of what she did.

"I did leave Jesse Owens with a little disappointment," Grover said. "The entire ride home, I just kept thinking about how I just wanted to come back next year and do better. But, looking back at it, I am very proud of what I did. After my sophomore year, I never expected to have that experience. I just wanted more for myself and still want more, but after everyone told me how proud they were and all of the support, I feel like I should be proud of what I did."

Proud, but far from satisfied. Grover heads into her senior season with plenty of goals she would like to accomplish. And she isn't afraid to reach for the stars.

"Number one, I want to stay healthy and finish out my career strong," Grover said. "Number two, I want to keep making memories with my teammates. I remember those memories most, even more than individual accolades. Those are the things that will stick with me forever. I would like to get my 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in volleyball and 1,000 points in basketball and round everything out with a state track championship."

If she can do that, she will without a doubt go down as the best athlete in Lucas High School history, if she hasn't secured that title already. But more than that, her legacy in Richland County High School Sports will be tough to top.

jfurr@gannett.com

740-244-9934

Twitter: @JakeFurr11

2022 Richland 200 Athletes

• 200: Natalie Grove, Shelby

• 199: Trenton Weaver, Crestview

• 198: Oliver Cramer, Mansfield Christian

• 197: Trynity Wolfe, Lexington

• 196: Annie Mahek, Shelby

• 195: Leyna Gerich, Crestview

• 194: Alex Rose, Ontario

• 193: Vivian Lampert, Madison

• 192: Brooklyn Gwirtz, Shelby

• 191: Will Magers, Shelby

• 190: Channon Cundiff, Shelby

• 189: Andre Harrison, Mansfield Christian

• 188: Colin Cordrey, Ontario

• 187: Isaac Hillman, Mansfield Christian

• 186: Olivia Kreger, Ontario

• 185: Hunter Petit, Ontario

• 184: Drew Yetter, Ontario

• 183: Jaden Jones, Mansfield Senior

• 182: Caleb Porter, Plymouth

• 181: Ally Wigton, Madison

• 180: Cole Everrand, Mansfield Christian

• 179: Tristan Johnson, Mansfield Christian

• 178: Gracie Dinsmore, Crestview

• 177: Brody Miller, Shelby

• 176: Evie Hostetler, Lexington

• 175: Kyleah Jones, Mansfield Christian

• 174: Cameron Kuhn, Madison

• 173: Chesnie Patton, Crestview

• 172: Zach Hamman, Plymouth

• 171: Annaleise Norris, Mansfield Senior

• 170: Braxton Hall, Ontario

• 169: Anna Blackstone, Lexington

• 168: Jade Adkins, Lexington

• 167: Carson Brubaker, Shelby

• 166: Trevin Smith, Lexington

• 165: Hannah Smith, Lexington

• 164: Mary Wilkins, Shelby

• 163: Calah Rader, Mansfield Christian

• 162: Quinten DeBolt, Mansfield Senior

• 161: Jayden Goad, Madison

• 160: Trace McVey, Plymouth

• 159: Caden Cunningham, Crestview;

• 158: Carter Newman, Lexington;

• 157: Jace Hill, Crestview

• 156: Griffin Baker, Mansfield Christian

• 155: Egan Cavanaugh, St. Peter’s

• 154: Luke Zerby, Mansfield Christian

• 153: Camden DeBolt, Mansfield Senior

• 152: Nathan Haney, Mansfield Senior

• 151: Juleah Windham, Mansfield Senior

• 150: Marissa Caugherty, Lucas

• 149: Brayden Spitler, Lucas

• 148: Bobby Grover, Lucas

• 147: Alyssa Shay, Lucas

• 146: Terrance Corbin, Lexington

• 145: Skyler Winters, Shelby;

• 144: Bralen Boone, Ontario;

• 143: Gavin Cains, Crestview;

• 142: Luke Roberts, Lexington

• 141: Renee Anders, Clear Fork

• 140: Gavin Barker, Crestview;

• 139: Callie Cyrus, Madison

• 138: Jaylin Branham, Plymouth

• 137: Zian Rhodes, Lexington

• 136: Eden Howard, Ontario

• 135: Chloe Trine, Plymouth

• 134: Gavin Cates, Madison

• 133: Jaxson Husty, Lexington

• 132: Natalee Back, Madison

• 131: Chance Basilone, Lexington

• 130: Marshall Moore, Shelby

• 129: Trista Jewell, Ontario

• 128: Braden Mumaw, Lexington

• 127: Caleb Cunningham, Ashland Crestview;

• 126: Devin Holloway, Ashland Crestview;

• 125: Jaden Beachy, Clear Fork

• 124: Mylah Davis, Madison

• 123: Taylor Tucker, Madison

• 122: Brooklynn Adkins, Ontario

• 121: Maddie Haring, Lexington

• 120: Baylee Black, Ontario

• 119: Ethan Slone, Lexington

• 118: Ty Lehnhart, Lucas

• 117: Monetta Hilory, Mansfield Senior

• 116: Trey Nickoli, Lexington

• 115: Mitch Riegel, Lexington

• 114: Fred Proto, Clear Fork

• 113: Micheal Thomas, Madison

• 112: Landon Kennard, Shelby

• 111: Kendall Windsor, Clear Fork

• 110: Alyssa Carroll, St. Peter’s

• 109: Anna Sparks, Mansfield Christian

• 108: Noelle Beare, Mansfield Christian

• 107: Kenley Miller, Lexington

• 106: Chloe Sturts, Lucas

• 105: Feree Kent, St. Peter’s

• 104: Carter Weaver, Ontario

• 103: Kiyah Wentz, Mansfield Senior

• 102: Rachel Kocher, Lexington

• 101: Will Jamieson, Madison

• 100: Peyton Dzugan, Ontario

• 99: Demi Hipp, Shelby

• 98: Brayden Fogle, Lexington

• 97: Hope Barrett, Madison

• 96: Lilly Wortman, Clear Fork

• 95: Natalie Hunter, Lexington

• 94: Isaac Vance, Lexington

• 93: Joey Aquino, Lexington

• 92: Jarek Ringler, Crestview

• 91: Cameron Wagers, Plymouth

• 90: Justin Crall, Mansfield Senior

• 89: Marisah Atterholt, Madison

• 88: Kyleigh Rieter, Madison

• 87: Heath Kash, Crestview

• 86: Adison Reymer, Crestview;

• 85: James Stewart, Ontario

• 84: Kylie Snow, Ontario

• 83: Pacey Chrastina, Clear Fork

• 82: Davis Washinske, Mansfield Christian

• 81: Carmelo Smith, Mansfield Senior;

• 80: Mason Turnbaugh, Ontario

• 79: Noah Stuart, Ashland Crestview;

• 78: Connor Hauger, Clear Fork

• 77: Emily Nolan, Madison

• 76: Victor Skoog, Clear Fork;

• 75: Madi Basilone, Lexington

• 74: Owen Roth Lexington

• 73: Jordan Beireis, Lexington

• 72: Emma Aumend, Crestview

• 71: Makenzie Back, Plymouth

• 70: Alexis Rippel, Mansfield Christian

• 69: Hunter Church, Lucas

• 68: Troy Chapman, Lexington

• 67: Issaiah Ramsey, Shelby;

• 66: Luke Schlosser, Clear Fork

• 65: Mallary Gundrum, Shelby

• 64: Andrew Fanello, Lucas;

• 63: Marleigh Albert, Shelby

• 62: Dylan Catanese, Lexington

• 61: Jake Chilcote, Lexington

• 60: Ethan Remy, Lexington

• 59: Karl Etzel, Lexington

• 58: Taylor Mullins, Ontario

• 57: Annika Labaki, Clear Fork

• 56: Olivia Schulz, Madison

• 55: Kylie Galownia, Lexington

• 54: Elias Owens, Mansfield Senior

• 53: Sophie Durbin, Crestview

• 52:  Joslynne Frazier, Ontario

• 51: Audi Albert, Shelby

• 50: Ricky Mills, Mansfield Senior

• 49: Alex Depperschmidt, Lexington

• 48: Leo Hess, Mansfield Senior

• 47:  Kiersten Bradley, Mansfield Senior

• 46: Wade Bolin, Crestview

• 45: Corbin Toms, Lucas

• 44: Hudson Moore, Lexington

• 43: Kaylie Eichorn, Lexington

• 42: Bri Bowles, Madison

• 41: Chase Studer, Ontario

• 40: Andrew Smollen, Lucas;

• 39: Luke Dininger, Shelby

• 38: Huck Finnegan, Shelby

• 37: Peyton Bodnar, St. Peter’s

• 36: Emma Montgomery, Shelby

• 35: Elli Mayer, Shelby

• 34: Isaac McFadden, Lexington

• 33: Ivan Prykhodko, Lexington

• 32: Abby Little, Mansfield Christian

• 31: Matt Dwyer, Lexington

• 30: Sean Putt, Mansfield Senior

• 29: Shae Sparks, Plymouth

• 28: Aidan Culler, Lucas

• 27: Ahmaan Thomas, Mansfield Senior

• 26: Jayden Jeffries, Madison

• 25: Shawn Bailey, Crestview

• 24: Miles Miesse, Ontario

• 23: Kaden Riddle, Clear Fork

• 22: Caiden Allen, Plymouth

• 21: Keontez Bradley, Mansfield Senior;

• 20: Ja’Ontay O’Bryant, Mansfield Senior

• 19: Elyana Weaver, Lexington

• 18: Amarr Davis, Mansfield Christian

• 17: Autumn Taylor, Ontario

• 16: Jillian Morr, Lexington

• 15: Brie Trumpower, Ontario

• 14: Baden Forup, Lexington

• 13: Logan Toms, Lucas

• 12: Adi Turnbaugh, Ontario

• 11: Kayla Gonzales, Shelby

• 10: Emma Wise, Lexington

• 9: Hunter Hutcheson, Madison

• 8: Owen Barker, Crestview

• 7: Mason Ringler, Crestview

• 6: Alex Bruskotter, Shelby

• 5: Jacob Ohl, Ontario

• 4: Hayden Kuhn, Crestview

• 3: Gage Weaver, Ontario

• 2: Mekhi Bradley, Mansfield Senior

• 1: Shelby Grover, Lucas

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland 200: Lucas' Shelby Grover is No. 1 athlete returning in 2021-22