Cascade senior Evan Franklin takes the moniker of “student athlete” very seriously.
Not only has he been a part of the CHS golf team, soccer team and swim team, all four years of high school, he has maintained a high GPA of 3.75 while also participating in National Honor Society and working on the school’s yearbook.
According to Franklin, “I balance things by either getting all of my school work done in class or I just do most of it when I am home in the morning.”
Franklin has not only participated in athletics, but he has found success.
He has played on two sectional championship soccer teams in his junior and senior years, with his junior year squad making it all the way to semi-state.
Franklin was also a member of a record-setting relay team in the pool.
Although he has found success in those sports, golf is his favorite of the three.
Franklin has played since he was five years old, but started playing competitively when he was 10.
In this final season, Franklin has many goals, such as competing and winning conference as a team, a goal that seems within reach.
According to Franklin, “We haven’t accomplished what we wanted yet, but I feel we are in a good spot to get a lot better and hopefully achieve a lot this year.”
Golf has not only been a fun activity to do, it has taught Evan many life lessons. “This team has taught me that golf is not fun if you don’t laugh at yourself when messing up. Everything doesn’t have to be perfect and I should have fun because it doesn’t last forever.”
As a senior, Evan lets his experience help out younger golfers. According to Franklin, “Being a senior is always sad, it being my last season. I will miss being there for the young talents when they are playing their best, but right now I try to teach them so they can reach that point in their careers.”
Coach Caleb Eldridge is excited to see Franklin take that extra step this year, not only as a golfer but also as a leader as well. “Evan has displayed a sense of leadership just due to his longer experience in the sport,” Eldridge said.
“Golf means everything to me because you don’t need a team or group to play it. Beginning of high school was rough for me and to be able to go out and spend hours on the course by myself, but it was really helpful, so it will always have a special place in my heart.” Evan says.
After high school, Franklin will be continuing his academic and athletic career at the University of Southern Indiana, and will be studying elementary education.
