el Don /SANTA ANA COLLEGE • MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2011/eldonnews.org
SPORTS
PLAYER PROFILE
batter/ Sophomore Gary Apelian drives the Dons to a fifth consecutive Orange Empire Conference Championship while leading the team in eight offensive categories. / David DeRidder / el Don
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By Eric Lomeli / el Don
n 2010, Gary Apelian carried 190 pounds on his lanky 6-foot 4-inch frame. By any stretch, he was one skinny dude. Since then, he has transformed his physique, and has become a serious home run threat every at bat and a nightmare to opposing pitchers. Apelian knew he had to add muscle to generate more power, so in July he began an intense weightlifting regimen and improved his college student diet.
“I lifted weights last year, but I didn’t take it as serious as I do now,” Apelian said. He cut out junk food and sugar, began a high protein and carbohydrate intake, and now eats at least two meals a day at home. “My dad has dinner ready when I get home and it’s usually chicken or steak and rice,” Apelian said. “Armenian rice pilaf with garbanzo beans, usually.”
Both of Gary’s parents immigrated here about 35 years ago. Zeron, Gary’s father, is from Syria and Datevig, his mother, is from Lebanon. Zeron cooks dinner because Gary’s mother works late hours at Win Hyundai in El Monte. The dealership, learning of Gary’s success, sponsored the baseball team with a $500 donation this season. Although he never played
baseball, his father has been influential in Gary’s career. “He learned baseball through watching a lot of Dodger games. He’s a great support, and has helped me a great deal,” Apelian said. In the batter’s box Gary now stands in the middle-back with a slightly open stance, compared to last season when he used similar box placement but stood with a more closed stance. “I’m near the back of the box so I can have a little more time to judge the pitch,” Apelian said. Gary converted to a 34-inch, 31-ounce TPX Omaha bat. Last season he swung a 33-inch, 30-ounce TPX Exogrid. NCAA rules, which went into effect this year, banned the Exogrid. The transition was effortless, he said. His hitting ability is well known. He
hits for average and power. “Gary is our best hitter. He’s a weapon when it comes to hitting. Everyone is confident in him at the plate,” said Andy Peterson, freshman second baseman, said. Hitting is not the only thing Gary does well. He possesses a broad depth of baseball knowledge. “Gary helped me work on becoming better, running better routes to the ball in the outfield, helping me tweak my swing. He’s always trying to make everyone better,” said Seth Smith, sophomore pitcher and outfielder. Gary could not be the player he is today without a strong work ethic. “He is what coaches want in players,” Head Coach Don Sneddon said. “He works hard in the weight room, and in the
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el Don /SANTA ANA COLLEGE • MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2011/eldonnews.org
SWING IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT
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