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WICHITA — Hours before the Class 6A State Semifinal game, Washburn Rural baseball's Nate Selm received a call.
His father was in the hospital.
Washburn Rural athletic director Charlie Nimz and coaches helped Selm immediately. He was rushed over to the hospital to see his father, who suffered a stroke.
Baseball was the least of Selm’s concerns, he said. He needed to be with his dad, Michael.
When he entered the hospital room, Nate spoke with him.
Washburn Rural baseball: Class 6A State Championship 74 years in the making
“Nate, what are you doing here?” Michael said.
“I’m here with you. I'm not going anywhere,” Nate responded.
“You better go out there and play,” Michael told his son.
Nate, along with his family, decided to continue playing.
Selm eventually made his way back to Wichita State, helping the Junior Blues win the state semifinal game.
Shortly after the game, Selm went straight to his father. Selm did not go back to the hotel with the rest of the team. He stayed with his parents and siblings on Friday night.
“He’s got me into everything,” Selm said about his dad. "I love baseball, and he's always been the one taking me around and giving me support. It's nothing but love with him.”
On Saturday, May 30, Selm was constantly thinking about his dad in the state championship game. Throughout the finale, Selm dominated.
He finished 2-for-4 with one run in the Junior Blues' 4-3 win over Lawrence Free State. The second baseman was incredible defensively, too. He met every challenge thrown at him, helping Washburn Rural win the school's first state title since 1952.
“This means everything,” Selm said. “This team is special. If I didn’t have the support of my teammates backing me up last night, telling me that everything was going to be good, I wouldn’t be here at all.”
Silver Lake softball: Nick Hamilton, Silver Lake softball reach state championship mountain top
When word spread throughout the team, Washburn Rural's players rallied behind Selm. The semifinal and championship games were secondary to the health of their teammates' father.
“That’s my best friend. Obviously, it was heartbreaking to hear,” Drew Moore said. “When that happened, we knew we had to win it for him (Michael Selm).”
Being a good teammate can be challenged at a moment's notice. In the final two days of the season, the Junior Blues’ integrity rose above.
“We were texting him and letting him know that we were there for him,” Moore said. “We had his back. Baseball brought us together.”
After the championship game, Selm told the Capital-Journal that his father's health was improving.
“He’s doing good,” Selm said. “He had two, three scans and everything is looking good.”
Washburn Rural head coach Jay Mastin described his team as players who have always wanted to win for each other.
There isn't a purer example of this selflessness than a team showing its love for a teammate and their family when they need it most.
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Washburn University athletics for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Washburn Rural's Nate Selm wins state title for hospitalized father
Continue reading...
His father was in the hospital.
Washburn Rural athletic director Charlie Nimz and coaches helped Selm immediately. He was rushed over to the hospital to see his father, who suffered a stroke.
Baseball was the least of Selm’s concerns, he said. He needed to be with his dad, Michael.
When he entered the hospital room, Nate spoke with him.
Washburn Rural baseball: Class 6A State Championship 74 years in the making
“Nate, what are you doing here?” Michael said.
“I’m here with you. I'm not going anywhere,” Nate responded.
“You better go out there and play,” Michael told his son.
Nate, along with his family, decided to continue playing.
Selm eventually made his way back to Wichita State, helping the Junior Blues win the state semifinal game.
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Shortly after the game, Selm went straight to his father. Selm did not go back to the hotel with the rest of the team. He stayed with his parents and siblings on Friday night.
“He’s got me into everything,” Selm said about his dad. "I love baseball, and he's always been the one taking me around and giving me support. It's nothing but love with him.”
On Saturday, May 30, Selm was constantly thinking about his dad in the state championship game. Throughout the finale, Selm dominated.
He finished 2-for-4 with one run in the Junior Blues' 4-3 win over Lawrence Free State. The second baseman was incredible defensively, too. He met every challenge thrown at him, helping Washburn Rural win the school's first state title since 1952.
“This means everything,” Selm said. “This team is special. If I didn’t have the support of my teammates backing me up last night, telling me that everything was going to be good, I wouldn’t be here at all.”
Silver Lake softball: Nick Hamilton, Silver Lake softball reach state championship mountain top
You must be registered for see images attach
When word spread throughout the team, Washburn Rural's players rallied behind Selm. The semifinal and championship games were secondary to the health of their teammates' father.
“That’s my best friend. Obviously, it was heartbreaking to hear,” Drew Moore said. “When that happened, we knew we had to win it for him (Michael Selm).”
Being a good teammate can be challenged at a moment's notice. In the final two days of the season, the Junior Blues’ integrity rose above.
“We were texting him and letting him know that we were there for him,” Moore said. “We had his back. Baseball brought us together.”
After the championship game, Selm told the Capital-Journal that his father's health was improving.
“He’s doing good,” Selm said. “He had two, three scans and everything is looking good.”
Washburn Rural head coach Jay Mastin described his team as players who have always wanted to win for each other.
There isn't a purer example of this selflessness than a team showing its love for a teammate and their family when they need it most.
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Washburn University athletics for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Washburn Rural's Nate Selm wins state title for hospitalized father
Continue reading...
