No one can ever question Ayden Batchelor's passion and commitment.
While some high school athletes are spending countless hours fine-tuning and crafting their skills in one particular sport, the Fountain Central High junior is spreading his talent around this fall.
Along with being the number one singles' player on the Mustangs' tennis team, the 5-foot-11, 185-pound standout is back competing on the gridiron as well.
"I played youth league football until the fourth grade and then decided to play fall baseball instead," Batchelor recalled. "I wanted to play football again this year because I wanted to help the team win."
Although the Mustangs came up short in a 26-21 loss to Southmont on August 22, the talented wide receiver hauled in six passes for 239 yards with three touchdowns.
"Ayden is a special athlete because he is such a hard worker," said Fountain Central head football coach Herb King. "He came to me and (Fountain Central tennis) Coach (Chris) Webb with the idea that he could do both sports. The only reason we allowed it was his year-long commitment to prepare for this season.
"He only missed one summer football workout and that was because he was playing in the American Legion state baseball tournament."
Managing his time wisely has been the main reason Ayden has been able to juggle all of his activities successfully.
"I just stay on a strict disciplined schedule of school, sports, lifting, and sleep," explained Batchelor. "I have strict communication between both coaches to make sure I am aware of what's going on. Just like playing chess, piecing things together has allowed me to remain sharp."
His dedication in the weight room has also benefited him in both areas.
"My quickness and lateral movement from tennis allows me to zig-zag on my routes," explained Batchelor, who benches 260 pounds and squats over 400 pounds. "The mental toughness from football not only helps me remain focused, but to read and analyze my opponent's next move."
Success on the tennis court seems to come naturally for Ayden, who played a big role in a sectional championship in 2023 and a sectional runner-up finish last fall.
"Ayden is the only player I have coached that could do this," said Chris Webb. "He is a dedicated athlete and has trained for this opportunity."
Although he has worked with Batchelor for only a short time, the Indiana Football Hall of Famer King has been impressed.
"Ayden is an outstanding person that has dedicated himself to train to play both football and tennis this fall," King said "He is conscientious in his dedication to both sports far more than I imagined. Even with everything he had going on, he still worked out with us during the winter and spring in the morning and also had a very high attendance in our morning lifts."
The feeling is mutual for Ayden.
"I have a tight relationship with Coach King and the rest of the coaching staff," Batchelor said. "They have helped point out what my strengths (mental toughness) are and what areas I still need improvements (making sharper cuts, working on my blocking angles, and being more aggressive)."
He also credits his grandpa for his love of sports, which also includes basketball in the winter and baseball in the spring.
"He was a really quiet man, but when he did talk, you listened to what he had to say," Batchelor said. "I learned at an early age that you don't make excuses. That's because there is always someone bigger, better, faster, and stronger than you. That's why you have to work hard every day to surpass them."
This also pertains to the classroom where he maintains a 3.89 grade-point average.
"My whole life right now is lifting, athletics, and classes," said Batchelor, who was limited to one carry for three yards in a 15-7 loss to Crawfordsville. "I'd love to continue competing at the next level, but I want to go somewhere that could set me up for my future career, which is starting my own business someday."
However, the main task for Batchelor at this moment is getting his club in the win collum for the first time on September 5 when Fountain Central (0-2) hosts Riverton Parke (2-0).
