Get to know Gavin Troy, the Blue Water Area Athlete of the Week

Port Huron Times Herald

Port Huron's Gavin Troy waits for the next pitch during a game earlier this season. He was voted Blue Water Area Athlete of the Week on Thursday.

Baseball and football are two very different sports. But for Port Huron's Gavin Troy, he's used the same approach to excel in both — use his strength to overpower the competition.

The junior was voted Blue Water Area Athlete of the Week on Thursday for the week of April 3-8. Troy went 2-for-3 at the plate and had three RBIs against Yale on April 6. One of his hits was a two-run home run.

The Times Herald recently caught up with Troy to learn more about him.

Times Herald: How long have you been playing baseball?

Gavin Troy: I've been playing baseball since I was about 4 years old. I started with tee-ball.

TH: What makes you such a talented player?

Troy: (Assistant) coach Brett Mullins for sure. He's coached me all my life and he's taught me the ins and outs of baseball — how to play the game with the proper technique and with the proper sportsmanship too. I'd also like to give a shoutout to my strength and conditioning coach Mike Pearson. I worked all offseason with him getting stronger in the weight room.

TH: Who is your favorite athlete and why?

Troy: It's between Barry Sanders and Bo Jackson. But I'll go with Bo Jackson (because of) just how fast he was back in the day and how strong he was as a football player and a baseball player. Doing both (sports) as a pro, it's ridiculous. Best athlete ever in my opinion. He played running back and I play running back. It ties in (to the sports I play) and I think that's why I like him so much.

TH: What do you enjoy doing outside of playing baseball?

Troy: Music, I always have it going. Whether I'm at school or in the shower, I'm always listening to music. I like to mix it up. I listen to different styles. Sometimes, I'll listen to classic 80s ... 90s rap ... new-school stuff ... change it to R&B ... Lauryn Hill — just mix it up. I like music a lot.

TH: What goal do you have for this season?

Troy: Just to have a winning record. Be better than last year and have a winning record. That's the main goal. End positive.

Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.