Senior Landon Griffin comes from a long line of athletic success at Tushka where his grandfather was a coach for many years and his dad teaches and coaches now and it’s that family strength that has helped Griffin become a stalwart for the Tigers.

“We’re just a real sports-oriented family and pretty competitive,” said Griffin. “I played with an older cousin [Hayden Griffin] last year who is now playing at Carl Albert [State College], and I have a younger cousin that plays softball and basketball. When we’re all together we’ll have wiffle ball tournaments and make competitions out of everything.”

Landon has been a four-year starter for Tushka and his coach Dax Simon says that Griffin has worked hard to make himself ready to play at the next level.

“Landon plays primarily first base for us and he’s also both a starter and closing pitcher,” said Simon. “Probably the biggest improvement he has made in the last year has been developing himself with a lot of hard work in the weight room. He’s always been a talented player and hard worker but now he’s developed more of a college-type body and I think he’s got a good shot at playing at the next level.”

As a senior this year, Landon has also had to hone his leadership abilities and approaches it easily.

“I just like to lead by example but if I have to correct or teach something, I like to do it as though I’m a big brother passing it along and not by yelling or screaming.”