By Hayden Swope

Last season, Salina South’s Garrett Aills was named a second team all-league outfielder for the Cougars and figures to be one of South’s top players this season.

“To be one of the athletes for the magazine is a big honor,” Aills said. “I always used to look at the magazines and imagined myself being in one, and now I am.” 

Preparing for the upcoming season started early for Aills, as he spent hours on and off the baseball field prepping for the season ahead.   

“During the offseason I was constantly working out and doing different hitting drills to improve my power,” Aills said. “I want to be more consistent at the plate this year and help my team put up runs.”

While having to step into the leadership role this year, Aills has made goals he hopes the Cougars will be able to achieve before the season is over. 

“I know as a team our goal is to get to state and make a deep playoff run,” Aills said. “It has been what we have worked for for the past three years. We also want to get more wins than the past years because we know what we are capable of doing.”

 Aills has aspirations to continue his academic career in Kansas, and possibly even continue athletics as well.  

“My future plans are to attend Kansas State University and get a major in finance and become a financial advisor,” Aills said. “I’m still open to play baseball at a higher level too.”