Freshman Amari Yolas takes on two different sports at Valley College and West LA College.
By: Alex Diaz, Sports Editor
On your mark, set, BANG! The sound of a powerful hit echoes through the air as Amari Yolas sprints to first base and later on the track for the 100-yard dash. The 19-year-old college freshman is a dual-sport athlete as a pitcher for Valley College and a sprinter for West LA College.
The college freshman who hails from Palisades High School has played multiple sports throughout his life but now commits his passions to baseball and track. Yolas has been playing baseball since he was 5 and discovered his talent for running along the way.
“Growing up and being young with my friends we would be on the streets running all the time,” said Yolas. “I’ve always been the fastest growing up, and everywhere I go, it’s always been that way.”
Yolas is one of the few to play two different sports across two different campuses. To participate in these two sports, Yolas had to gain the approval of a commissioner.
“It was the first time in my 22 years as head coach that I ever had to do that,” said Valley Baseball Coach Dave Mallas. “We were fortunate that West LA is in our district and that’s why we were able to do it, but it was a learning experience for me as a head coach and athletic director.”
The sprinter holds a record of 10.61 seconds in the 100-yard sprint and has a pitching arm speed of 94 mph. His speed runs through his veins. Yolas is a psychology major, a photographer, a player, and a son. Despite having a busy life, he enjoys it, even if it may seem stressful.
“He is just one of those guys, I think he is a Division I runner as well as a Division I baseball player,” said Mallas. “He’s a pretty special young man, so hopefully he enjoys his journey. He’s working harder than anyone in the spring right now, doing both sports on two different campuses.”
Yolas attributes his success to one person who has been a constant influence and motivation throughout his life--his father.
“He always gets on me about everything and anything I do,” Yolas said. A lot of the stuff I do is just to prove it to him, and I just love the game too.”
While the two sports are different, the right-hander approaches baseball and track similarly. The sprinter relies on his mental and strategic abilities to excel in both sports and carries an ego within him.
“In my head I try to think I’m better than everyone and try do my best out there,” Yolas said. “You have to have a winner’s mentality.”
Mallas admires the young man’s exceptional talent and said he’s among the top 1 percent in speed and arm strength.
“It doesn’t matter what school I go to as long as I can play,” said Yolas. Whether in college or the major league, Yolas plans to dominate any field.
“I’m trying to make it all the way.”
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