From time to time you come across a story that needs to be told, then told again, and then, told again.
There are exemplary students at Northwest Missouri State University. There are exemplary students playing on the Northwest Missouri State University baseball team. This is about one of those baseball players. One, of those Bearcats.
Every parent wants their children to grow-up to be an All-American. This story is about All-American, Zach Douglas.
Zach grew-up in Wheeling, Missouri, which is a small town near Chillicothe. He graduated from Chillicothe High School where he excelled in baseball among other things. Zach signed to play baseball for the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats. He is a catcher and utility player. Zach is in his senior year of studies at Northwest. He is majoring in corporate recreation and wellness with a minor in coaching.
On Octoer 6, 2013, Zach joined the Army National Guard. It was something he wanted to do for a long time. Zach has been in the National Guard for almost a year and a half. He would not change his experience for anything.
For Basic Combat Training, Zach was sent to Fort Benning in Georgia. Fort Benning is the main headquarters for infantry training with the United States Army. It is an all-male facility. He was a part of Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment. Zach was in the First Platoon and was known amongst his peers as the Reapers.
Zach had three Drill Sergeants. The first three days were the most demanding he experienced in his young life. After those three days, Zach said it got better. The yelling never bothered Zach. He was pushed to his physical and mental limits. He learned hand-to-hand combat, shooting rifles, handling grenades, stick fighting, and several marches. He started out with a 4K and worked up to a 16K march. Zach graduated from Fort Benning on July 31, 2014. He made so many friends. Friends he hopes to see again.
Upon his return to Maryville, Zach will drill with the National Guard Unit in Maryville. He hopes to be stationed with his brother, Sergeant John Hibner in Trenton, Missouri, as part of the 548th Transportation Unit.
Athletically, Zach is a Junior with the Northwest baseball team. During his sophomore year in 2014, Zach played in 7 games with 1 start. He had 7 official at bats with a double to his credit, a .333 slugging percentage and a .944 fielding percentage. During his freshman year in 2013, Zach appeared in 4 games with 1 official at-bat. He earned a hit, batted in a run, and ended the year with a 1.000 batting average, 1.000 slugging percentage, 1.000 on-base percentage, and 1.000 fielding percentage. In the summer of 2013, Zach played for the Chillicothe Mudcats baseball club, a wood-bat baseball team in the M.I.N.K. league. The M.I.N.K. baseball league is a premier wood-bat baseball conference with college-aged amateur players competing for professional contracts and opportunities.
In 2015, Zach is battling for playing time at catcher and a utility player. He sports a very strong arm, an intense yet controlled passion, some of the quickest reactions amongst the entire squad, and a maturity beyond his age.
When asked about life after graduation from Northwest Missouri State University and baseball, Zach responded:
"I plan on making a full career of being in the National Guard. I just don't know if I'm going to go full time Army after school because I don't know what jobs I will have the opportunity of getting after school. You just never truly know sometimes until it actually falls into your lap."
So parents, who do you want your children to grow-up and become? A movie star? A celebrity? Sports star? Well, count me in as feeling blessed if my child grows up to be like Zach Douglas.
Ladies and gentlemen, the B2R presents All-American Northwest Bearcat Zach Douglas from Wheeling, Missouri.
Go Cats!!
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