Bahler one of Bates foundation’s top eight

Long-time educator and coach Roy Bates was never afraid to go head–to-head with anyone on virtually any issue.But as any successful teacher and coach knows, far more is accomplished with students who are willing to work together and put in additional work, all the while avoiding trouble and negativity. It was for those students Bates designed the Roy S. Bates Foundation Award, to single out a select group of students who could perhaps otherwise be overlooked.Wooster High senior Cameron Bahler is one of the eight finalists for the award, which is in its 17th year of honoring some of the best and brightest students/athletes in Wayne County. Started by Bates, an Ohio hall-of-fame coach in both baseball and basketball, these students are culled from among those who competed in those two sports, as well as softball. Finalists must carry a 3.0 GPA as well.Northwestern’s Blake Bellman, Craig Day of Waynedale, Barrett Gasser of Rittman, Krista Leighty from Triway, Smithville’s Jenna Pew, J.T. Troyer of Dalton and Orrville’s Elle Vierheller joined Bahler as finalists. Each member of the group will receive a $2,500 college scholarship and are in the running for the foundation’s player of the year award, which will be announced April 11. As a group, they will be honored with a meal at the Olde Jaol Restaurant April 14.His selection came as a surprise to Bahler, although he confessed, “I filled out the application and then I forgot about it,” he admitted. “I was surprised.”And happy. His older brother, Cullen, had filled out an application but wasn’t selected.“I knew it was tough (to win),” said Bahler. “I knew about the award because my brother applied for it … and we read all the stories in the newspapers. My dad is also a good friend with (former major-leaguer and Cy Young Award winner) Dean Chance, who was coached by Roy Bates (at Northwestern).“This is huge. Obviously I’m honored. I’m surprised I was considered and I’m pretty pumped (I was selected).”Bahler carries a 3.4 GPA. In addition to his focus on grades, he is involved in school in a number of clubs and activities. He is a member of student council, is vice-president of his class and part of the Ohio Cardinal Conference Leadership. In addition, he participates in Young Life and the Interact Service Club, which operates through Rotary.He isn’t a bad athlete, either. He has earned three letters in football and as a senior was named captain for the Generals, earning first-team OCC honors and second-team all-district. He was captain of the basketball team as a junior and earned two letters on the hardwood and he will earn his third letter this spring in baseball. He was second-team OCC last spring, hitting .380 as the Generals’ shortstop, and he will be back in that position this spring.He is unsure of his college plans, both where he plans to attend school and whether he will play baseball or football. That applies to his future plans as well.“I’d like to become an athletic director or do something in nursing, like being an assistant anesthesiologist,” said Bahler. “That’s pretty wide ranging, I know. I like helping people.“I consider myself a leader. I’ve captained a couple of teams in sports I’ve played and I’d say I’m well rounded. My senior seminar in English was a service-type project dealing with the poverty/genocide in Africa.”