Long time friends Harry Delyanis and Dylan Steele are finally finding themselves, not only as baseball players, but as leaders, and as a result, they’re able to set an example for the younger players and establish a culture of respect and positivity, two philosophies that both Steele and Delyanis embody in their games.

As others in their generation are coming of age, uniting in activism, leadership, and increasing maturity, Junior baseball players Dylan Steele and Harry Delyanis are as well.

Steele committed to Indiana University for the 2020 season in July of 2017, but he says that he didn’t consider playing college baseball when he first took on the sport, “I was just doing it for fun, and I still play for fun, but the game has grown since I began.” Steele shares that he is happy to be a role model for younger players and someone to look up to as he goes off to play baseball at Indiana University, a dream for many young baseball players who grow up in Bloomington.

North junior Harry Delyanis, who has been playing baseball since he was three years old considers himself a leader on the baseball team, but shares that he didn’t find that role until he became an upperclassman this year. “Going into this year, I really feel like I have a bigger role,” he says.

Asked if they ever considered quitting baseball, Steele and Delyanis agreed that they couldn’t imagine their lives without baseball. Even with setbacks, both athletes have persevered and they both plan to play as long as they can. While Steele has already committed to his hometown school for college and has a dream of playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, Delyanis has his eyes set on playing for a yet-to-be-determined high academic school after he graduates from North.

Steele shares that baseball has taught him to have confidence in himself and to stay positive when faced with defeat, but he admits, “I’m still learning … I just always try to be the best that I can be.” Like his baseball idol Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, he plays respectfully and never relishes in his success.

Delyanis values baseball as a stress reliever. He explains that if he’s having a bad or stressful day, he can go hit a ball off of a tee, and it’s almost therapeutic for him. He looks up to another Angels player, Brandon Phillips, for his constant positivity on and off the baseball field.

Both Steele and Delyanis’ energies are high right now, as the baseball team is currently on a 12-game winning streak and shows no signs of digression. With these juniors’ newfound leadership skills, a new positive and respectful culture established, and their excitement and passion for the game, the future for these cougars seems bright.