It is the summer going into Bradley Pawlow’s freshman year of high school. One hundred degrees out, dripping in sweat, Pawlow’s heart is racing as he walks onto the field with a fever of one hundred and one degrees. It’s the last inning after a scoring run, two outs and a man on second base. He’s next one up to bat. Seconds feel like minutes, as he waits for the pitch. Dizzy and nauseous, a doubtful feeling of loss comes over him as the baseball flies directly towards him. POW! Pawlow hits a liner that scores the game winning run. The crowd goes wild as Pawlow and his team run off the field in victory.
When he was five years old, Pawlow was introduced to baseball. His parents signed him up for the Lincolnwood t-ball team and from there, he continued to play. The Pawlows are baseball fanatics, keeping up with the latest news about their favorite team, the White Sox. When Pawlow was a kid, he didn’t take baseball seriously, he didn’t know how to appreciate the sacrifice his parents were making for him. Little did he know, his family’s love for the game would rub off on him.
When he entered middle school, Pawlow realized how much he truly loved baseball. He decided to take it more seriously and soon after, baseball became his passion.
“Out of all the sports and activities I am involved in, baseball is the one place I feel like I belong. This is what I plan to pursue throughout my high school career and possibly even in college,” he said.
Before he entered high school, Pawlow played for the Niles West baseball feeder team. He was trained and prepared for what he should expect from the spring season.
When freshman year rolled in, Pawlow knew exactly what he wanted and decided to set his mind on that one goal: academics. Pawlow’s main goal is to work hard inside and out of the building. His family always encouraged him to take on all the opportunities that Niles West will have to offer and that is why he decided to enroll himself in all honors and AP courses.
Pawlow also stated that he was lucky to have met seniors Sarah Lee, Selma Sabovic, and Denise Alasu in his journalism class.
“If it weren’t for Selma, Denise, and Sarah, I would probably still be that shy and quiet boy that I was when I entered the doors of West. I know it’s not typical for a senior to interact with a freshman and that’s why I consider myself fortunate enough. I am still trying to discover what my future will be like, but until then, I just want to have fun and enjoy high school, experiencing what it is like to be a Niles West freshman,” Pawlow said.
