HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL Rohan finds true calling in life

The South Range standout helps a third-grader become more independent.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
NORTH LIMA -- Spending time to help a cerebral palsy victim has led South Range High senior George Rohan to his true calling in life.
And in the process, Clay Lancaster, a third grader at South Range Elementary, now can stand without a cane and can walk with only one cane instead of two canes.
Now Rohan, a pitching and batting standout for the Raiders' baseball team, wants to study physical therapy in college after his gratifying experience working as an aide to Lancaster since last September, and watching him become more independent.
Rohan is planning to major in physical therapy at either the University of Findlay or Slippery Rock University, and also is hoping to win a baseball scholarship after striking out a school-record 99 batters this season while batting a team-best .500 (37-for-74).
Supporting cast
Chief catalysts helping Rohan to realize his new vocation in life were Steve Krivan, principal at South Range elementary school, and Dawn Speece, Lancaster's physical therapist.
"This year in English class, we had to do a senior project and I chose to do that project with a student [Lancaster], who has cerebral palsy," said Rohan, who posted a 4-2 mound record to help South Range to a 16-4 record under coach Dan Szolek. "The elementary school principal [Krivan] came up to me and asked me If I wanted to work with him, and I said, 'yes.' "
Krivan wasn't aware that Rohan was looking for a project, and Rohan wasn't looking to do this type of project, either. But the two came together for the better of everyone involved.
"I'm still working with him [Lancaster] now," said Rohan. "I probably will keep working with him until school is out. I work with him during study hall periods."
Rohan said Speece comes in on Wednesdays and gives him advise and tips on how to help Lancaster.
"She showed me some techniques and different exercises and games to [help him]," said Rohan. And also the expectations for him.
"They just wanted him to improve his walking and to improve from using two canes to just one cane," said Rohan. Because, "[Speece] wants him to be more flexible," so he can get around easier and with more confidence. "He won't have anyone with him next year."
Rohan has seen a big improvement in Lancaster since last September, and that fact has encouraged him to become a physical therapist.
"He had trouble standing up without any cane, and had to use two canes when he did walk; [but] now he can stand up without any cane and uses only one cane to walk," said Rohan.
Before he met Lancaster, "I was only interested in physical therapy slightly because I was thinking about [studying] pharmacy, [but] when I got into [this] it convinced me that it is what I wanted to do."
He realized that he actually had made a difference in Lancaster's capabilities, although he didn't realize it at first until he was told by others that Lancaster had improved.
The son of Gerlyn and George Rohan, George has a 3.2 grade-point average. When not pitching, he played first base or centerfield this year.
"This was my best hitting year," said Rohan, whose brother, Greg Rohan, also is on the Raiders' team as a junior third baseman and shortstop.
In fact, Greg finished No. 2 on the team to George in batting average with .487.
kovach@vindy.com