Most high school seniors have two choices when they graduate —- go to college or join the work force.
Kelso's Chris McCoy isn't a typical senior.
McCoy's future includes three opportunities —- accepting a scholarship to play baseball at the University of Washington, signing a contract to play professional baseball, or becoming national president of the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA).
"I've decided to run for the national DECA president, and if I win, I'll still work out with the University of Washington team," McCoy said. "If I lose the election, I'll continue with my plans to play at Washington because it's been a lifelong dream to play for the Huskies. I'll definitely consider a pro offer, but I'm not worried about it now because I want to help Kelso win a state title."
Baseball has been a large part of McCoy's life since he was a T-ball player 10 years ago.
"My uncle Gary taught me how to throw a baseball, and my grandfather took my brother Cam (also a pitcher at UW) and I to Seventh Avenue Park and hit us fly balls," McCoy said. "I started pitching at age 9, and Bill and Steve McGhee were awesome coaches who also taught me how to pitch."
McCoy believes the Hilanders will be the team to beat in the Class 4A state playoffs this spring.
"We lost a lot of great players from last year's team, but we're bringing back a lot of talent," he said. "Jarrett Hill, Nate Cundiff and myself will pitch, and guys like Curt Bartell, Brian Roden, Matt McCoy and Josh Rismoen all know how to play baseball. We'll have great pitching and defense like the Seattle Mariners."
McCoy never realized his potential as a collegiate-caliber pitcher until two seasons ago.
"I'd gained 10 miles per hour on my fastball, and it was my goal to pitch on the same team as my brother Cam," he recalled. "I worked hard, and I was the number two varsity pitcher during that season. That summer, my fast ball hit 90, and it became reality to me that I had a shot at pitching in college."
Kelso baseball coach Gunnar Guttormsen used one word to describe McCoy.
"Dedicated," Guttormsen said. "His off-season work ethic has put him in a position that earned him an invitation from the University of Washington. Chris is an intelligent and capable player who throws with a lot of velocity, and he recently acquired a second pitch that will add pizzazz to his pitching resume."
McCoy admits the buzz among pro scouts about his pitching prowess simmered after he suffered a back injury last year.
"I pitched in the state playoffs with an injured back, but I didn't go to any of the showcase games for pro prospects," he said. "The talk on me went down a lot because my spine was out of alignment. I went to physical therapy for a few months and got it fixed, and I stayed in the weight room and worked my way back into shape. I'm getting back my velocity and will be ready when the season starts. I don't put a lot of emphasis on the possibility of a pro contract, because my priority right now is going to school and playing high school baseball."
Guttormsen believes McCoy has the potential to become a professional pitcher.
"Chris will have success in whatever avenue he chooses," he said. "If he focused on becoming a pro player, I believe he could attain that. He has a lot of options, so I don't know if that will be his final choice."
McCoy's third option is to organize a campaign to become the national DECA president, which involves traveling around the country to conduct workshops, speak at conferences and attend corporate board meetings. He's currently the state president for DECA, a group he joined two years ago.
"I looked into the organization during the first months of my sophomore year, and after I went to a leadership conference, I knew I loved it," McCoy recalled. "I've learned to believe in myself and I understand what I can and can't do. This is like a passion for me, and I'm crazy for DECA like a guy can be crazy for a girl."
During his junior year, McCoy decided he wanted to be DECA state president, which didn't surprise Kelso High DECA advisor Rick Davis.
"Chris has always been driven and he's not afraid to challenge his comfort level," Davis said. "Chris wasn't grasping at something that wasn't attainable, because he's been successful with everything he's done. I'm a little surprised he's going to run for national president with his baseball commitment to the University of Washington, but it's not an unrealistic goal for him because he can win and have an impact in the program."
While McCoy's state campaign cost a few thousand dollars that he raised through donations from friends and local businesses, he admits the run for the national office this spring will cost $10,000-15,000 and will take a lot more of his time.
"As state president, I've had to miss about 40 days of school to attend meetings and put on workshops, and the administrators at the school have been supportive," he said. "As national president, I'll have to take a year off from school because I'll be traveling across the country giving motivational speeches, putting on workshops and visiting DECA chapters."
McCoy said if he's elected to the national presidency, he'll move to Seattle and live with his brother.
"Coach (Ken) Knutson (UW baseball coach) is real supportive of my plans," McCoy said. "He believes I can come back and be a top pitcher with the team after I serve out my term."
McCoy would like to pitch in the majors, but he'd also be happy working as a marketing director for a Major League ballclub.
"I want to be happy with what I'm doing, have a good family and be a good Christian," he added. "I might consider politics, because I want to be a leader. Running for national DECA president is something I want to do because I'm passionate about it, and not because it'll look good on my resume."