With big senior goals ahead, Pacelli’s Brooks and Achuoth lock up their futures – Austin Daily Herald

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Logyn Brooks looks on as Yong Achuoth signs on to compete in track and field at the University of Saint Mary’s in Winona next year. Brooks signed on to play baseball at Riverland Community College. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

Pacelli senior Logyn Brooks looks on as Pacelli Yong Achuoth signs on to compete in track and field at the University of Saint Mary’s in Winona next year. Brooks signed on to play baseball at Riverland Community College. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com; PIc2: Pacelli seniors Logyn Brooks and Yong Achuoth took a moment to celebrate their signings with their families in Pacelli Auditorium Wednesday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

Pacelli’s Yong Achuoth runs at Meadow Greens Country Club Tuesday in 2022. Herald file photo

Lyle-Pacelli’s Logyn Brooks dives for second base during a win over GMLOK in Marcusen Park Tuesday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

Pacelli seniors Yong Achuoth and Logyn Brooks have big hopes that they will be finishing their time as high school athletes on a high note, but for now they’ve settled on securing their future as college athletes.

Achuoth signed his commitment to run cross country and track and field at the University of Saint Mary’s in Winona and Brooks signed on to play baseball at Riverland Community College in front of their family, friends and peers in Pacelli Auditorium Wednesday.

Achuouth has aspirations in running at the state meet and he was close last season, as he took fourth in the 1600-meter run at the Section 1A meet. Achuoth has big goals as he gets closer and closer to his final race for Lyle-Pacelli.

“I think if I run my PK, I should be up there,” Achuoth said. “I should be a contender to get to state.”

Achuoth has run the 800-meter and 1600-meter runs, while also competing in long jump, the 4400-meter and 4 x 800-meter relays for LP. His head coach Ryan Bickler pointed to his “endurance mindset” and his ability to “dig deep and finish strong” as his crucial traits.

Achuoth said he has learned a lot about competing from Bickler, and LP sprinter coach Dan Miller. He’s excited to take what he’s learned to the next level when he goes to Saint Mary’s next season.

“It’s going to be fun. I really enjoy running,” Achuoth said. ‘I’ve always believed in myself and the work that I’ve put in.”

Brooks has already played in two state tournaments with the Lyle-Pacelli baseball team and he’s aiming to help the Athletics advance to a third state tournament in the next couple of weeks. He’s played catcher, second base, center field, and pitcher for the Athletics, and he’s learned many lessons along the way.

“You have to be mentally strong, and you have to learn to work with different types of people so you can become a better person yourself,” Brooks said. 

Brooks said LP is taking it one game at a time, but the team has big goals. He’s always been motivated by his leadership role on the team, and he wants to stay around baseball for as long as he can.

“Somebody’s gotta take the lead, and I’m OK to step up and say something,” Brooks said. “I’ve always had a dream of playing baseball for as long as I can. When you love something, you want to play as long as I can. I’d love to play in the MLB, but if that doesn’t happen, that’s OK too. Eventually, I’m sure I’ll be coming back to coach baseball.”

RCC finished this past season with a record of 31-18 overall.

LP will host Schaeffer Academy in a Section 1A Tournament opener at 5 p.m. Thursday, and Achuouth will run in the subsection meet in Grand Meadow at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.