Gesell, High Point Christian baseball carry high hopes
BY MARK LAMING HIGH POINT ENTERPRISE
.
HIGH POINT — Printed in green letters on the back of the number 12 baseball jersey at High Point Christian Academy is a familiar last name to those around High Point — “Gesell.”
Luke Gesell is the fourth member of his family to earn an NCAA Division I athletic scholarship, with all four being HPCA products.
Gesell, who has signed to play college baseball at UNC Wilmington, helped the Cougars stand 25-2 overall and 6-0 in PACIS action through Thursday’s play. HPCA has its sights set on an NCISAA 3A state title.
The Gesell family athletic lineage extends back to father, Corey, who played baseball at George Mason and Virginia Tech and is currently the coach of the Cougars.
Luke’s brothers, Jared and Levi, earned baseball scholarships. His sister, Bethany, earned a scholarship to play floor volleyball at Eastern Tennessee State. She is now a student at UNC Wilmington, where she plays beach volleyball for the Seahawks. Bethany Gesell is a member of the High Point Christian Academy athletic Hall of Fame.
Don’t be surprised if one or more siblings follow her into that legion of honor.
“It’s a great feeling to be the last one in our family to go play college sports,” Luke said, “Nothing was given to me. I had to work for it. It started with my dad. He helped us all and gave us the motivation to work hard, and that trickled down from my brothers and sister to me.”
Luke will join his brother Levi in Wilmington. Levi is transferring to UNCW after spending a season at Pitt Community College. Jared is graduating from UNCW this year.
“It’s always nice to play with family,” Luke said, “They are the people who you love and the people who push you to get better.”
But before he turns his focus to college, Gesell and his HPCA teammates are aiming for a state crown. HPCA has two games with rival Wesleyan Christian Academy as the regular season wraps up this week.
“Sophomore year and junior year we came really close to winning a state championship but we fell short,” Gesell said reminiscing on the Cougars last two seasons, “The other seniors and I are motivated to win a state championship this year and we are going to do everything we can to make that happen.”
BY MARK LAMING HIGH POINT ENTERPRISE
.
HIGH POINT — Printed in green letters on the back of the number 12 baseball jersey at High Point Christian Academy is a familiar last name to those around High Point — “Gesell.”
Luke Gesell is the fourth member of his family to earn an NCAA Division I athletic scholarship, with all four being HPCA products.
Gesell, who has signed to play college baseball at UNC Wilmington, helped the Cougars stand 25-2 overall and 6-0 in PACIS action through Thursday’s play. HPCA has its sights set on an NCISAA 3A state title.
The Gesell family athletic lineage extends back to father, Corey, who played baseball at George Mason and Virginia Tech and is currently the coach of the Cougars.
Luke’s brothers, Jared and Levi, earned baseball scholarships. His sister, Bethany, earned a scholarship to play floor volleyball at Eastern Tennessee State. She is now a student at UNC Wilmington, where she plays beach volleyball for the Seahawks. Bethany Gesell is a member of the High Point Christian Academy athletic Hall of Fame.
Don’t be surprised if one or more siblings follow her into that legion of honor.
“It’s a great feeling to be the last one in our family to go play college sports,” Luke said, “Nothing was given to me. I had to work for it. It started with my dad. He helped us all and gave us the motivation to work hard, and that trickled down from my brothers and sister to me.”
Luke will join his brother Levi in Wilmington. Levi is transferring to UNCW after spending a season at Pitt Community College. Jared is graduating from UNCW this year.
“It’s always nice to play with family,” Luke said, “They are the people who you love and the people who push you to get better.”
But before he turns his focus to college, Gesell and his HPCA teammates are aiming for a state crown. HPCA has two games with rival Wesleyan Christian Academy as the regular season wraps up this week.
“Sophomore year and junior year we came really close to winning a state championship but we fell short,” Gesell said reminiscing on the Cougars last two seasons, “The other seniors and I are motivated to win a state championship this year and we are going to do everything we can to make that happen.”
