Area fans overwhelmingly selected Iola High School senior Grady Dougherty as the March Allen County Area Athlete of the Month.
Dougherty may have gained area recognition while leading the Mustangs to a 10-0 start in March, including opening the season with a takedown of local rival Chanute, but Coach Levi Ashmore believes Dougherty’s impact goes beyond the baseball diamond.
“Grady is an excellent kid. Opposing coaches always have something nice to say about him and all I can fire back is ‘He’s a great kid.’” Ashmore said. “I talk to the umpires after and in between games, and they always have something nice to say about him.”
Dougherty has racked up five wins on the mound and currently leads the Mustangs in strikeouts while dueling with junior switch-hitting teammate Tre Wilson for the team lead in home runs.
Ashmore said what makes Dougherty a good team player is his ability to raise the level of his teammates.
“He’s a hard worker. He puts in the time,” Ashmore said. “He works hard in the batting cage and with his throwing program.”
Even after practice, “He’s there helping 13-year-olds,” Ashmore said. “Good things happen to good people.”
Dougherty credits his success to hard work off the field, and his faith in God. While off-the-field workouts keep him a cut above the rest, he credits the Lord for keeping him healthy and surrounding him with teammates who amplify what he brings to the diamond. He also credits the community for developing him into a likely All-Pioneer League player.
“It feels really good. I’ve had a lot of support, and not just from Iola people,” Dougherty said. “I have a lot of support over in Humboldt and even Colony. It feels good to be recognized like that and have people know who I am. A lot of times, I just want to go out and make the hometown proud.”
