ROCKTON — Center fielder Landen Seymour had a banner junior year for Hononegah’s 29-7 baseball team last spring, finishing second on the team in batting average, slugging percentage and on-base percentage.
A year from now he’ll join the player who was ahead of him in those three categories, Maddux Hibbard, at UW-Whitewater. Tuesday, Seymour signed a letter-of-intent to attend UW-W and play for the powerhouse NCAA Division III program that has won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) 21 times since 1957 and 17 since 2000.
“We have a good relationship going with Whitewater,” head coach Matt Simpson said. “They know what goes on at Hononegah.”
First baseman/pitcher Hibbard was MVP in the NIC-10 a year ago when the Indians tied Freeport for the league crown at 16-2. Seymour was also on the All-NIC-10 First Team as he led the Indians in stolen bases and played outstanding defense in center field.
“His skill-set is similar to an outfielder we sent to Whitewater about 10 years ago who became the NCAA D-III National Player of the Year, Daytona Bryden,” Simpson said.
That’s lofty praise, Seymour admits.
“I know Daytona and what kind of player he was,” Seymour said. “For me, this is what I always hoped for. I’ve played baseball since I was in diapers and my dad would toss me balls and I’d hit them in the front yard. I played football and golf, too, but it’s always been baseball for me.”
In addition to Bryden, the Indians have a strong connection to the Warhawks with assistant coach Mike Broderick having attended UW-W.
“Coach Broderick got me in contact with the Whitewater coach and I also know a few guys there who love the coach, the campus and the athletic program,” said Seymour, who plans on majoring in Physical Education. “It’s really exciting to be going there.”
On top of all his on-field skills, Simpson says Seymour is also a strong leader, albeit a quiet one.
“He’s not exactly a vocal leader,” the coach said. “He’s a leader by example. He works his butt off from the time he gets to practice until he leaves. He’s put the work in and this is the result.”
Broderick said Seymour also has the right mind-set for a ballplayer.
“Last year (Seymour) had a little four-game slump at the plate, but you never would have known it from his demeanor or the energy he showed in the dugout around the other players,” Broderick said. “Baseball is a long season with a lot of ups and downs and it helps to stay even-keeled and just look ahead to your next at-bat.”
Seymour played for the club team Big Dogs from 8U through 11U then moved to GRB for six years. Now he is with the Rockford Prospects.
The Indians will no doubt need some of his leadership skills after graduating several key players from last season’s squad. But they return First Team second baseman Austin Dresser, outfielder Logan Edward, pitcher Jackson Stahl and Special Mention third baseman Jeremiah Olsen and DH Drake Broege.
“Last year we showed people that we can win regional championships and win sectionals,” Seymour said. “I think we have a lot of sneaky talent returning this year.”
The Indians peaked at the right time last year, winning 14-of-15 games to reach the IHSA super sectionals, where they lost to York, 5-0.
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