Tahlequah High School’s Synjin Sampson
Tahlequah junior catcher Synjin Sampson has learned that some of the most important work happens when nobody is paying attention. Whether it is long days in the cage or grinding through late-week practices, he believes doing things the right way when no one is watching is what separates good players from great ones.
“Without a doubt being in athletics has taught me a work ethic and doing things right when no one is watching is important and matters,” Sampson said.
Sampson, 17, anchors Tahlequah High School behind the plate, embracing one of baseball’s most demanding jobs. “I’m a catcher and the hardest thing about the position is how taxing it is on my body, especially in the later days of the week,” he said. Still, he loves working with his pitchers, especially when he can get that fastball at the bottom of the strike zone.
“That fastball in the lower part of the zone,” Sampson said, “there’s just nothing like sticking that pitch for a strike.”
Sampson draws motivation from close to home. “My parents and teammates both inspire me,” he said. “Throughout my life my parents have been there to help me get better and my teammates are able to hold me accountable.”
He also values the chemistry that comes with a group that has grown up together. “My favorite thing about being on this team is that a lot of us are friends off the field too and have known each other our whole lives, so playing together is special,” Sampson said.
The Tigers’ dugout has no shortage of personality. Sampson points to Kevin, “aka the Kevinater,” as the most vocal teammate, while Kael “Cheese” Carey is the guy who keeps the group going. Away from the field, Sampson enjoys hanging out with friends or getting extra swings in the cage with “a group of guys.”
In the classroom, he gravitates toward history and still remembers his favorite teacher, Mrs. Denton, from eighth grade. And, true to baseball tradition, he subscribes to one key unwritten rule: never mention a perfect game or no-hitter while it is in progress.
