-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Jake Szalat of St. Edmond pitches against Manson NW Webster on Thursday

Growing up around St. Edmond sports, Jake Szalat knew he would eventually have his own chance to leave a mark on the school.

Now, with his Gael career winding down, Szalat can reflect on his past four years — many of which was spent with his father, Mike, as his head coach.

“There have been so many athletes that I’ve looked up to these past few years, especially the guys on the 2009 state championship team,” Szalat said. “Being able to compete for St. Edmond has been an honor because I looked forward to it so much as a kid, and it’s been as great as I imagined.”

Szalat, who also competed in cross country, wrestling and basketball, is currently 3-0 on the mound with 23 strikeouts in 18 innings. The senior has yet to allow an earned run, walking just two batters.

Much like during the cross country and his most recent wrestling season, Szalat is coached by his dad. Mike took over as the head coach this past year following several years as an assistant.

“Anybody who has had a parent knows that there are good times and bad times,” Szalat said. “He is a little tougher on me from time to time because he knows what I’m capable of. It’s been a lot of fun, though, having him always being there. It makes it easier to talk to my parents about sports because my dad knows exactly what goes on day in and day out, which is a commodity that most kids don’t have, so I try to take advantage of it.

“My talent levels differ quite dramatically in each sport, so I provide different things to each team individually, and he does a good job of letting me control certain things.”

That includes serving as a team captain in cross country, wrestling and baseball. Szalat returned to the mats this past winter after not competing in wrestling for two years.

“I’d like for people to think of me as a good leader. I’ve always been a school-first kind of guy, and I truly do believe that effort and work ethic translate from the classroom to the court, field, course and mat,” Szalat said. “An NCC coach told me a few games ago that from a coaching point of view, he’s glad I’ll be gone next year. I just really want people to hear my name a few years from now and think, ‘He was a hard worker,’ because I tried to give 100-percent in everything I did while at St. Edmond.”

Szalat was also involved in student council, French club, choir, show choir, solo and ensemble, musical, speech, chamber choir, A capella choir, honor choir and was the student body president his senior year.

He also earned National Honor Society honors twice, was in the honors program and attended both the HOBY Leadership seminar and TMOT Leadership seminar.

“The close-knit community and friendships is something that I know I will miss,” Szalat said. “The thing I’ll miss most is being a mentor for underclassmen athletically. In a few weeks my athletic career will be over, which is sad to think about. I’ll miss all the memories I’ve made with my teammates in each sport, but especially trying to lead the way for the younger guys and teaching them what I’ve learned about the sports.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been elected as a captain in every sport this year, because like my dad, I’m a vocal guy and I like to help people and see them grow.”

Szalat will attend Iowa State University in the fall.

Vacation destination:

Estes Park, Colorado.

People I would like to have dinner with: Grayson Allen, Theo Epstein, Drew Taggart, Harry Hudson.

It would surprise people that I: don’t like pizza.

My sports role model:

Ryan Szalat.

My everyday role model: my parents (Mike and Jenni).

I can’t go a day without: listening to music.

Nickname: Klootzy.

Superstition: wearing American flag underwear when I pitch.

Most heated rivalry:

Clear Lake.

Favorite road trip: CYO.

What are you listening to right now? Lauv or Harry Hudson.

Favorites…

Team: Duke.

Class: Statistics.

Movie: The Blind Side.

Book: The Percy Jackson series.

Phone app: Spotify.