If Rilyn Coleman had to put a letter on his letter jacket for every sport he participated in, he would need a trench coat. He plays football, basketball, baseball, power lifts, plays golf and runs track. So how do you pick a favorite out of all of those?
“Oh, it’s baseball for sure,” said the Idabel senior-to-be. “I just love being outside in the sun and playing with my friends.”
His grandpa, who was baseball player, got him started in baseball by just playing catch with him shortly after he was walking according to Coleman, and the other sports just followed. In basketball he plays point guard for the Warriors and in football he’s been a wide receiver but may be slotted for the quarterback spot this fall. As far as role models, Rilyn has a couple.
“Growing up I always followed Derek Jeter. I just like the way he carried himself on the field and his swagger. My grandpa is also a role model because he’s always helped me and supported me so I just want to make him proud and playing baseball well does that,” said Coleman.
Rilyn hit .333 with 15 stolen bases this past spring hitting in the lead-off spot while playing shortstop and pitching.
“He’s just a great athlete and competitor,” said his coach Cade Clay. “He’s one of those kids that everyone wants to be around and he’s good at getting people to follow him.”
Rilyn competes in the 157-pound weight class in power lifting and finished eighth at state this past winter and he was part of the Idabel 4X400 and 4X800 relay teams that qualified for state this year.
“But I had baseball regionals the day of the state track meet and so I didn’t get to run at state,” said Coleman.
As far as the summer and goals for next year, Rilyn is focused in looking ahead.
“I want to win the quarterbacking job next year but I know I’ll miss some camps and stuff due to summer baseball so I’ll have to make a quick transition and be really ready when fall practice starts,” said Coleman. “I know we’ll also be getting a new baseball coach next year so I want to get be ready for that too.”
In his spare time, Rilyn works out or you’re liable to find him dropping a line at a local fishing spot.
