The Shadow
When it comes to Alleghany Mountaineer athlete Dalton Griffith, there is no such thing as time off.
The three-sport senior starts with football, where he was moved to varsity as a freshman three years ago, then was awarded second team all-district honors as a kick returner and a defensive back. Griffith then starts prepping for indoor track, a sport that he mainly began just to get in shape for baseball but quickly realized he was an asset to the team and very competitive, and has been to the state tournament twice and been named all-state in each of his events. His relay team placed third last year, fourth this year, and individually, Griffith placed fifth in the triple jump even though it was just his third time ever doing it.
Now, Griffith, who loves hunting, weightlifting and hanging with friends when he gets a free minute, is on the baseball field for his final lap around the Alleghany sports community before graduation in a couple of months, and he knows exactly how he wants this last season to go.
“This year I just want to be the best player that I can be,” Griffith said.
I had trouble with hitting last year, so that has been my main focus point so far this season. I hope to end the year with a good batting average and maybe even a state title,” he added.
That state title aspiration is always a common thought among players, but the way the Mountaineers have started this year so far and with their appearance in the state tournament a year ago, it may not be that much of a stretch.
“This team is something different. We come out each day and put in the work. I have very high expectations for this team. Realistically, I think that if we keep getting better and putting in more work, we have a good shot at going all the way,” Griffith stated.
With the baseball season being so young, Griffith will have plenty of opportunities to make lasting memories that he will remember forever, but so far, it was this past football season that has provided him with his best one yet.
My favorite memory at Alleghany has to be when we beat Floyd on senior night this football season. I personally think that I had one of the best performances of my career that night, but my favorite part had to be the environment after the game. Between the fireworks, music, and tearing down the goal post, the whole thing just felt like a movie to me,” Griffith said fondly.
But as all great things begin, they must also come to an end, and that is going to be tough to swallow for Griffith when it gets here.
“After it’s all over, I think I’ll miss the feeling of belonging to a team the most. To me, all my teammates are like a second family. Not being able to see and laugh around with them is going to suck. I’ll also miss gamedays and the times that we have in the locker room as well,” he said.
So, it is safe to say that Griffith’s time at Alleghany High School will be something he will always remember, but not just because of being there, but also due to the life lessons and knowledge he has gained on the campus.
“Being at Alleghany has been nothing less than a blessing,” Griffith said.
“The people that I have been around and the things I’ve learned have been nothing short of amazing, I couldn’t ask for more. Playing sports has allowed me to see how far hard work will get you, the importance of not giving up, and how having good connections with people is a key thing to have,” he continued.
And the best thing is, after four years at the school, he would not change a thing.
“If I had the chance to go back and change anything, I wouldn’t. Everything that has happened in my life has happened for a reason, and I’d like to keep it that way,” Griffith stated.
In the fall of 2023, Griffith will begin classes at Virginia Tech and will major in general engineering with a focus on construction management.
“It’s a scary feeling that I’ll have to leave and talk to people I’ve never known, but I’m honestly very excited for it,” he concluded.
