Shane Adler, Middleton
Dennis Semrau, Wissports.net
Shane Adler, Middleton, senior
Shane Adler has always been a competitor.
So playing three sports in high school comes naturally. He wouldn’t have it any other way.
"My dad lived on a farm with his sister and helped work on the farm. Every day I’d go there, me and my cousins would be playing baseball or basketball or football," he said. "We were always playing a sport every day.
Adler is planning to finish his high school career as a four-year letterwinner in baseball as a pitcher and third baseman. He is on course to be a two-year letterwinner each in football as a quarterback and basketball at forward/guard.
A co-captain in football, Adler is also expected to be named a captain in basketball and baseball, too.
Adler played tee-ball in kindergarten and started competing in basketball in third grade and football in fourth grade in Cross Plains. Although baseball is his favorite sport, he enjoyed the change in seasons and in the sports he would be able to play.
"You’re always competing. Guys who only play one sport, you can always tell because they are a little rusty when they come out," he said. "Baseball is my favorite but when its football season, its football time. When it’s basketball season, it’s basketball time.
"Especially in high school, it’s rare to be a three-sport athlete. You have to cherish that moment. It doesn’t last long."
Adler is in his second season as a starting quarterback on the Cardinals’ football team, which he helped lead to a share of the Big Eight Conference title and a berth in the WIAA Division 1 state semifinals his junior year. He also earned honorable all-league honors in basketball.
But he has had his most success in baseball, earning 2009 Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association All-State first team honors last spring as a pitcher. He was named the Big Eight Conference and Madison Metro Area Player of the Year after leading Middleton to the Big Eight title and a berth in the WIAA Division 1 spring state baseball tournament, "Indiana State has offered me a scholarship. I also have interest from Minnesota and Northern Illinois, which I have to go visit, UW-Milwaukee, too," Adler said.
But despite his desire to play professional baseball, Adler enjoys the variety of competition and developing of his different skills as a multiple-sport athlete.
"Football is such a physical sport. Getting hit is fun. Football is fun. It also helps develop your leadership skills, being a quarterback," he said "That carries over to basketball and baseball. Football sets the tone for the school year."
Adler realizes he is among a dying breed of high school athletes who shun specialization in a singular sport.
"(Football) coach (Tim) Simon was the one who told me the difference between three-sport athletes and a one-sport athlete," Adler said. "When you play three sports, you just don’t focus in on one so your potential is so much higher than it is right now.
"When you play other sports, you get greater experiences. I have awesome football and basketball experiences and I will live with them the rest of my life. Right now, playing all three sports is a lot of fun."
Time out with Shane Adler
1 – I like high school sports because: of the competition.
2 – My role model is: my dad, David Adler.
3 -- My family also includes: my mom, Rachel Ripp, step mom, Kim Adler, step dad, Kevin Ripp, step brother, Romie Ripp, and step step-sisters Kara Ripp, Courtney Pauls and Janel Karls.
4 -- Favorite opponent: Madison Memorial
5 -- Favorite movie: Invincible
6 -- Favorite meal: Chipotle burrito
7 – Hobbies: bowling, playing euchre.
8 -- I drive: a 1997 Toyota Camry.
9 -- Dream car: a Ferrari
10 -- Dream date: Eva Mendez.
