Injury keeps Winslow off the mound

At the age of 17, Jared Winslow has more options for his future than most. Winslow is a 4.0 student, as well as an athletic powerhouse for the Loggers in three sports. But if you've ever talked to the upcoming high school senior, you'd never know of his recent achievements.

"I hate to be such a parent," said his father and baseball coach, Wally Winslow, "but he's just a team player, almost to a fault."

A focused athlete, Winslow claims his favorite sport to be in whatever season may be currently competing.

"I love pitching. But playing football, you can't beat playing under the Friday night lights," said Winslow, who also steps onto the basketball court for the Loggers during the winter season.

Winslow had become a steamroller on the pitching mound until plagued by a torn ligament in his right pitching arm late in a game of the Harry Griffith Tournament on June 28 in Miles City.

"It was the second to last pitch of the game I heard a big, loud pop in my elbow, and it was just gone," said Winslow. "I can still throw, but pitching is too much for it right now."

The ligament tore on a change-up pitch that fell short of home plate. Winslow shook off the pain, and insisted on finishing the game. The runner on third saw a chance to score when the final pitch fell short again, but Logger catcher Micah Germany quickly recovered the pitch to tag the runner out and end the game. 

“No one really knew the extent of the damage, but every time a pitcher grabs their elbow, the team feels a level of concern,” said Winslow’s father.

Winslow finished out the game, played two more and made it through the Logger football camp before realizing there may be problem that required medical attention. Physical therapy sessions began shortly after.

“He had a phenomenal year pitching while he was healthy, we were definitely a different ball club with him on the hill,” said Loggers head coach Kelly Morford.

While plans for the future are uncertain, Winslow hopes to continue athletics through the year before going under the knife to repair his torn ligament. His senior year will be his last to showcase his talent for college scouts before his future is secured in plans for a post-graduate higher education. Winslow has already been in contact with baseball and football recruiters from Carroll College, Montana State University in Billings and Central Washington University. 

“He’ll have some decisions to make as far as the surgery, we’ll support him either way. After he gets the surgery and rehab, statistics show that players can return to full strength,” said Morford.

Winslow joined Legion baseball in his freshman year at age 14, quickly earning a name for himself on the mound with an all-district recognition. He has helped the Loggers ascend to the state tournament each year he has been on the team.

Winslow is pursuing a career as a physical therapist or physician’s assistant, being a student who has recognized his strength in math and biology. He’s a respected student by his peers and teachers, like Jeff Gruber who has spotted Winslow’s acceleration in academics.

“Jared’s one of those kids who are very curious about the world, he’s like a sponge,” said Gruber. “He’s one of those kids a teacher hopes the younger generation may look up to.”

Gruber considered Winslow a strong comparison to Vince Huntsberger, a former Logger student and athlete that continued on to play free safety for the Montana Grizzlies. 

“You feel pretty crappy when you get a B,” said Winslow, not a common standard for high school students. 

Winslow now anticipates some success in the upcoming American Legion baseball district tournaments that will begin this Thursday. The Loggers are currently riding a four-game winning streak after wins over the Bitterroot and Glacier teams.

“We’ve had games where we come in and knock the snot out of people, and we’ve had games when we’ve had to come back to win, so if we just play our baseball game, we’ll have a good shot to win,” said Winslow.