Grev inks with Northwestern College to play baseball

MOUNTAIN LAKE — Coming from a graduation class of around 30 students, Northwestern College seemed like a good fit for Kaleb Grev, of Mountain Lake/Butterfield-Odin.

Grev thought so too, signing a letter of intent to play baseball at Northwestern.

“It is a small college with a good community base,” Grev said. “I had a cousin who was ahead of me. He’s going to be a junior next year at Northwestern, and he had some high words from them with good reports, so I figured that I would do my best and give it a shot there.”

Grev was also a basketball and football player for ML/B-O. And along with his sports, Grev was a great student. He plans to major in pre-medicine at Northwestern, and he was also named the valedictorian of his high school.

“I actually didn’t know about that until recently,” Grev said. “We really don’t do anything about that, but I am honored to be it.”

Even though Grev was a multi-sport athlete, he thought that he would end up being better off going the baseball route.

“Basketball is a sport where I wouldn’t mind sitting on the bench, you know, just so I can practice and stuff like that,” Grev said. “But I thought that I had a better chance of getting some action in baseball, seeing as how I can play different positions.”

This season, Grev has pitched 8.2 innings and had an ERA of 2.42, was batting .357 going 23-64, and had one home run, 12 RBIs and 11 stolen bases.

“I am thinking they will put me at first base, because I heard they are in need of first baseman,” Grev said. “But I can probably play outfield for them too.”

Grev’s baseball and basketball coach, Shawn Naas, had nothing but good things to say about Grev.

“He’s been my lead-off hitter for the last two years and he is an outstanding kid,” Naas said. “He does everything in school. He’s been helping me with little league and basketball camp and he is a quality young man.”

Kaleb has been a solid utility player for ML/B-O all season, playing mostly first, second and third base, along with center field. Whatever his coach asks of him, Grev does without question.

“He has done anything and everything we ask and he can play anywhere,” Naas said. “You tell him that he’s playing second base today and he runs out there.”

Grev has a great opportunity to play at Northwestern and, according to his coach, he has a great chance to succeed.

“I think third base is probably his best position, or maybe in the outfield,” Naas said. “They are getting a quality kid that can help their roster and play in many different places where they have holes.”

Grev’s desire for baseball has not gone unnoticed by his soon to be coach.

“We are excited that Kaleb will be coming to Northwestern this fall,” coach Brian Wede said in a press release. “Kaleb has a high desire to be a successful student and baseball player, which will serve him well throughout his college experience.

“His athleticism and work ethic will help him become a valuable piece of our team in the near future.”

Tags: mountain lake butterfield odin, sports, prep, baseball