Yorkville Junior Bryce Baxa Faces Exciting Sports Decision

Bryce Baxa, a junior at Yorkville, is approaching a significant decision regarding his athletic future. The dilemma: should he pursue baseball or football? Baxa remains undecided, focusing equally on his commitments to both sports. In July, he split his time between summer camps for varsity football with the Foxes and participating in travel baseball tournaments with his North Aurora-based Team Elite.

Yorkville coach Dan McGuire organized a playful game of water balloon dodgeball to conclude the camp, bringing the camaraderie to life. Now, Baxa’s thoughts turn to the future. Coach McGuire believes college recruiters will want to see Baxa’s latest film before making any offers. Though Baxa is talented in both sports, McGuire feels confident that he has Division I potential in football.

In a recent baseball game against Oswego East, Baxa demonstrated his defensive skills by fielding a grounder and throwing to first base. Baxa, who earned All-Conference honors at defensive tackle as a sophomore, plans to visit Kansas State in the fall. On the baseball field, Baxa made waves early, playing varsity as a freshman. He primarily plays catcher, but he also pitches and serves as a designated hitter.

Reflecting on his early varsity promotions, Baxa found both sports challenging. In football, he faced a seasoned offensive line, which honed his skills through tough competition. For baseball, he encountered pitchers throwing 90-94 mph, surpassing the speeds he had previously experienced. He now trains against high speeds, using a machine set at 70 mph from 40 feet away, simulating speeds up to 105 mph.

Last fall, Baxa and fellow junior tackle James Sapp Jr. anchored Yorkville’s defensive line, each recording over 45 tackles for a team that finished 7-3. Baxa’s four tackles for loss included 2 1/2 sacks, and he blocked a field goal. Transitioning from linebacker as a freshman to defensive tackle, Baxa maintained strength and explosiveness, essential in their competitive league.

Baxa has since lost weight and may play defensive end this season. He credits his older brother, Blake, for preparing him for varsity sports. Beginning in seventh grade, Blake invited Bryce to train with Coach Chris Galloway, which advanced his bench press from 225 to 275 pounds by the end of eighth grade.

“It started in seventh grade,” said Baxa. “My brother was lifting and asked if I could join. That opportunity increased my strength, setting me up for success.”

For Baxa, the ultimate goal is playing in college, motivated by his parents and coaches who invested time in his development.

“It would mean a lot to me,” Baxa shared. “To play for my parents and coaches, who did so much for me.”