Sophomore Ashton Pride is a two-sport athlete at Mangum High School, where he competes on the Tigers football and baseball teams.

On the football field, Pride is a two-year starter and plays on both sides of the ball at the linebacker and running back positions. Outdoing his two positions on the football field, Pride plays all over the baseball field. If the right-hander isn’t starting on the mound, he can be spotted playing catcher, third base, or shortstop.

“Ashton can do it all,” coach Sam Powers said. “He can literally play any position on the field and be successful. Ashton is the guy you always want the play to go to. He’s very well prepared and ready to attack every play. He works incredibly hard at his craft and makes people play at his tempo when on the bump.”

On the mound, Pride started in six games, with a 3-3 record, 47 strikeouts, and a 3.07 ERA. Batting at the 2-hole, Pride finished this season with a .435 batting average, 30 hits, and an on-base percentage of .577. Pride also recorded a .953 fielding percentage and stole a team-high 38 bases.

“He is extremely dangerous on the base baths,” Powers said. “He’s a great kid off the field as well. He’s always trying to help people when and where he can. He works daily to better himself as a man of character.”

In an important game Snyder, with the Tigers down 3-1, Pride hit a triple with the bases to win the game in walk-off fashion. Pride also shut out the No. 10 team in Class 2A, Preston, on the mound in the first round at regionals. 

Pride credits his parents, Tommy and Debbie, for all his success and motivation on and off the field.

“They have always been there for me,” Pride said. “My dad has been my coach throughout my entire life, so he’s always willing to help me get better.”