HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Stekl brothers shine for Indians

Editor's note: Here is your chance to tell your story about your team, your school or your favorite player. If you'd like to join The Gazette's growing list of high school contributors, contact J.R. Ogden at jr.ogden@thegazette.com. Katherine is doing a 90-hour internship with us this summer through the Kirkwood Workplace Learning Connection.

By Katherine Bauer, Xavier juniorMARION - A family that plays together stays together.This is true for Marion shortstop Christian Stekl and catcher Caleb Stekl. They play together on the varsity baseball team.“Our dad umpired when we were really young,” Christian said after Marion swept Clear Creek Amana last week, 4-0 and 10-0. “So we were always at the ballpark.”Caleb is a sophomore, Christian a senior.Caleb said they laughed after discovering they would play varsity.“We didn't think it was possible,” Christian said.Head coach Stephen Fish is impressed with the Stekls.“They're the first to arrive and the last to leave,” Fish said. “We're lucky to have them.”The Indians (17-14) host Western Dubuque on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.“We're a very young team,” Fish said. “It's a journey.”Marion had a slow start this season after losing its first five games.“Our all-state player, Trev Biery, came back after an injury and helped with leadership,” Fish said. “Our younger guys felt more comfortable.”The team experienced an 11-game winning streak midway through the season.“It gave them extra confidence,” Fish said. “It was a great realization of the ups and downs of baseball.”Fish has a simple philosophy before each game.“Don't worry about who's in the other dugout,” he tells his team. “Let's have more fun than them.”