Cole Train: Cole Halgerson

by Kolbe Nelson
August 01, 2011 11:47 PM


Cole Halgerson, our Taco Johns Athlete of the Week, knows how to handle pressure, whether it's at the plate, or on the mound.

"He's been in about every situation we can throw at him." Sioux Falls East Head Coach Brandon Hunt says.

And that has helped the Cole Train morph into an incredible baseball player, something Hunt has anticipated for quite a while.

"I had him as a 16-year old," Hunt says, "And I told him if you can mature the way I think you can by your senior year you can be one of the better players in the state."

Hunt is quite the fortune-teller. But his growth didn't stop on the diamond.

"He really has matured not just from a baseball standpoint, but from an overall standpoint." Hunt says, "Cole's matured as a person."

Halgerson's senior year culminated this past weekend with East's first state title in seven years, but even though he's clearly one of the best players in the state, Halgerson never went out intending to be a superstar, or even the alpha dog on his own team.

"I just go out and play my regular game." Halgerson says, "We have more leaders on this team than just me."

Halgerson has still been a rock in the clubhouse though.

"He brings a quiet leadership to our team that we can't surpass." Hunt says.

And as much as they'll miss Halgerson after this season, East will never forget the times, and the success, they had with him.

"It's been a fun ride having him for the past 3 years." Hunt says.

Follow KDLT Sports at @KDLTSports and KDLT Weekend Sports Anchor Kolbe Nelson at @KolbeNelson for opinions, links, and updates on Twitter. And don't forget to check out the KDLT Sports Facebook Page .