Nolan Cook, one of several senior leaders for the Fairdale baseball team, is a big reason why the Bulldogs are off to their best start in at least 15 years (15-4 heading into Thursday’s game at Southern). The 6-foot, 170-pound southpaw pitcher/right fielder is 4-0 with a 1.12 earned-run average on the mound and has a .339 batting average.
The Courier-Journal: How long have you been playing baseball?
For about 11 or 12 years now.
What, or who, got you started?
Mostly my dad. He’s been my inspiration through everything. My grandpa helped me, too, but my dad was my big supporter through everything, through all my sports.
Was your dad a big Nolan Ryan fan?
Yes. My dad named me after Nolan Ryan.
You were a starting midfielder on the soccer team, too (Cook had four goals and a team-high 18 assists this past season). What have been some of the highlights of your high school athletic career?
In soccer we made it to the regional championship this year. That was a big goal. One of our goals was to make it to be district champion and we fell short of that (losing 1-0 to Holy Cross in the district final). So once we lost that we kind of bowed our necks and made a vow to ourselves that we’d win region, but we came short of that (losing 4-1 to Fern Creek).
In baseball, my personal goal is, when I’m pitching, to go undefeated on the mound. I’m 4-0 this year, I’m hoping to go like 6 or 7-0, depending on who we play. Our goal right now is to win the district championship and then possibly win the regional championship.
Fairdale is off to a great start to the season, what have been some of the keys?
We start eight seniors. All the seniors have been playing together since about fifth or sixth grade, so we know where we’re going to be when we make plays. … Ever since we were freshmen we weren’t that good, but we were decent enough, we made it our goal, as seniors, to go out with a bang and to leave a legacy at Fairdale. So far we’ve done that.
We really don’t want to lose any more games. I know it’s a tough task to do with half the season left, but I think it could be done. We’ve given everything we’ve had these past 17 games, and we’re hoping to give some more. Nobody ever really wants to give up, so that’s what we’re not going to do. We’re going to stick together and bond like a unit and make a run at the state tournament.
What are the keys for the rest of the season?
Hard work, leadership, dedication, want-to and getting along with each other.
Tell me about your brother?
He has cerebral palsy. He can’t see, talk or walk. When he was born his brain got sick. It was just really hard. I didn’t realize what he had because I was young. When I got older my parents told me; it just broke my heart. … I know when I get older I’ll probably have to take care of him, and I’m ready for that. I’ve been helping him get ready (in the morning), feed him and giving him his medicine, so I’m ready to take that responsibility.
You’re going to attend Western Kentucky University in the fall (Cook plans to try to walk-on the baseball team) and major in athletic training. Why athletic training?
My goal is to be an athletic trainer in the major leagues. If that doesn’t happen, then I’ll try and be on a college team, in any division, that’s my main goal for it. If that doesn’t work out I’ll become a physical therapist for sports.
NOLAN COOK UP CLOSE
School: Fairdale.
Year: Senior.
Sports: Baseball, soccer.
Student-athlete: Nolan, who also was a starter on the school’s soccer team, has a 3.9 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Family: Nolan, 18, lives with his father, Sean; mom, Shannon and younger brother, Mason (16).
Fairdale coach Adam Crawford says: Nolan is a great student-athlete with a 3.9 GPA. He has always been an exceptional teammate and quiet leader.