Dennis Semrau covers prep sports for 100.5 ESPN Madison and ESPNWisconsin.com
Drake Baldwin, Madison West High School
Year: Senior.
Sports: Hockey, baseball, football.
Sports highlights: Drake is a four-time letterwinner and starter as a center and left wing in hockey. A team captain as a senior, he ranks first in the state in goals scored and fifth in points. As a junior, he earned All-Big Eight Conference first-team honors and was named the league’s ‘Player of the Year’. A prolific scorer, Baldwin was the state of Wisconsin's leading goal-scorer with 43 and earned all-state first-team honors. He was an all-conference second-team selection as a sophomore and earned all-league honorable mention recognition as a freshman.
He is a three-time letterwinner and a three-year starter as a catcher in baseball entering his senior season. A two-time All-City selection, he earned All-Big Eight Conference second-team honors as a junior, when he batted .344 with 16 runs scored, three doubles, one triple, one home run and 12 runs batted in. He also stole nine of 11 bases. Baldwin also hit .328 as a sophomore when he earned all-conference honorable mention honors.
He played football his freshman year as a quarterback on the freshman team and placekicker on the varsity before opting to concentrate on baseball and hockey.
Cumulative GPA: 3.96.
Favorite subject/class: Physics.
Favorite teacher: Mr. Wilcox (History).
Quick quote: “Competing in sports has taught me that the team comes first and in finding ways of how to push past adversity.”
Three words to describe me are: Hard-working, friendly, athletic.
I got my start in sports: My mom signed me up for all kinds of sports, starting with tee-ball when I was three years old.
I wish I could play: Basketball.
My most memorable moments in sports: Going to Nationals for Triple-A hockey and placing second with Team Wisconsin.
I like about high school sports: Playing for my school with my friends of many years.
I enjoy playing baseball and hockey because: You get to be with your friends every day doing something that you love to do.”
Advice: “Learn as much as you can from upperclassmen and don’t get too down if you don’t get the results you expect right away.”
My role model is: My mom, Bridgette Baldwin.
Most inspirational teammate: Daelon Savage.
My family also includes: My grandpa, Randy, and my grandma, Peggy.
Nickname: Baldy.
Words to live by: “If you’re not first, you’re last.”
Favorite athlete: Aaron Rodgers.
Favorite team: Wisconsin Badgers.
Favorite opponent: Madison Memorial.
Favorite facility/site to compete at: Jupiter, Florida for a ‘Perfect Game’ baseball tournament.
Favorite movie: ‘Blades of Glory’.
Favorite TV show: ‘Blue Mountain State’.
Favorite food: Pasta.
Favorite fast food place and/or restaurant: Qdoba.
Favorite sport on TV: Football.
Favorite place to visit: The Boundary waters.
I want to visit: Hawaii.
Primary news source: Wisconsin State Journal.
Favorite website: YouTube.
I drive: A Ford Escape.
Dream car: A Jaguar f-pace.
I can’t live without: My friends.
I like Madison West High School because: There is a lot of diversity and new things happen every day.
I wish we could play: Green Bay Preble.
I wish I could meet: Barack Obama.
Dream date: Ice skating.
Dream gift: A dog.
Preferred brand of shoe: New Balance.
My perfect day: Sleeping in late, get up and eat a good breakfast, spending time with friends playing a hockey game and a baseball game and then going to an NHL game or a Major League baseball game.
I like to read: Harry Potter series.
This and that: Received a Dr. Martin Luther King award for excellence when I was in eighth grade … used to play the tuba … volunteer work includes the Humane Society and Wingra fishing camp … member of Honor Roll throughout high school … played hockey for Team Wisconsin for three years … played for GRB Reds baseball program for three years.
Hobbies: Playing hockey and baseball, fishing, being with friends.
Post-high school plans: Attend Missouri State University to study business and play baseball.
Did you know? I was named after the street I live on.
Career goal: Major League baseball player.