Player Profile: Ryan Graves, Oswayo Valley

D9Sports.com and EYT Media are doing a series of player profiles on returning high-school athletes this summer. The year in school listed by the athlete is the year the athlete is entering this fall.

RYAN GRAVES – OSWAYO VALLEY – SENIOR

Daughter of: Joe & Brandy Graves

Sports Played: Golf, Basketball, Baseball

2016-17 Highlights: Graves was the No. 2 starter for the Green Waves D9 Class 1A championship team going 6-2 with two saves. He had a 0.78 ERA. In 44 ⅔ innings worked he struck out 38 and walked 15. Graves was the winning pitcher in the District 9 title game going eight innings allowing one run on three hits and a walk. The run was unearned. In basketball, he scored 13 points in 12 games.

Post-High School Goals: Ryan plans to attend college but has not yet decided what I would like to major in. He would also like to play college baseball.

Q&A With Ryan Graves

D9Sports: What is your favorite sport to participate in?
RG: My favorite sport to play is baseball. I have always enjoyed playing the game ever since I was little.

D9: What is your favorite memory, moment, game from playing high school sports?
RG: My favorite memory from playing high school sports was during my junior year baseball season when we were able to beat Clarion in the district championship and then go on to get the first ever state playoff win in Oswayo Valley history.

D9: Why do you play high school sports?
RG: I enjoy the competition and being able to work together with everyone on your team. Sports take a lot of hard work, good work ethic and commitment to improving throughout the season and I think that is important in not only high school sports, but even more important in real life after high school.

D9: Is there a high school player on your team or another team that you enjoy watching play? If so, why?
RG: A player on my team that I enjoy watching play is Garren Black. He’s a player that is always determined to get better and is always a team player. He is one of the bigger reasons for our team’s success the past few years.

D9: When not playing sports I would rather (pick one) – Go to work, play video games, shop, hang out with friends, play pickup sports, go the movies
RG: Play pickup sports. I like to always be active and enjoy the competition.

D9: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
RG: One place in the world that I would like to visit is Aruba because I enjoy the warm weather.

D9: Who has had the most influence on you as a person?
RG: I have many people in my life who have had a large influence on me, but my dad has not only had a large influence on me as a person but also in making me the player I am. He has made sure he does what he can to make me a good player, but most importantly has made sure I am a good person and tries to prepare me for the real life ahead of me.

D9: What do you like most about growing up in your hometown?
RG: I think the best part about growing up in my hometown is the fact that it is a small town and that makes it so most people are pretty close to each other. It’s always a great feeling when the community comes together to support our baseball team in playoffs.

D9: What do you wish you could change about growing up in your hometown?
RG: One thing I would want to change is the decreasing participation in sports by younger kids today. I also feel like this is happening all around today and not just in my hometown. I would like to see more kids being active instead of just sitting at home all the time.

D9: What question do you wish I would have asked you? And what is the answer to it?
RG: What coach has had the biggest impact on you as a player? I have had many coaches who have greatly improved me as a player, but my high school coach Brad Buchholz has had the greatest impact on me. He has coached me ever since little league and is currently my varsity coach. I think what makes him a good coach is that he not only gets his team ready to be successful for the season but also teaches his players life lessons along the way.

D9: Do you or have you had any siblings or other immediate relatives who have played high school sports?
RG: I have a brother, Camden Graves who plays baseball, basketball and golf.