AUSTIN, Texas — Growing up in a family of athletes, it was only natural that Cooper Rummel would be drawn to sports and baseball became his sport.

“I’ve grown up in a competitive atmosphere and it’s always been an intense desire of mine to be the best at whatever I do,” says Rummel. “Given that I play baseball I’ve always felt the need to put in the work to become the best.”

It took a little while for baseball to catch on with Rummel. He didn’t love the sport when he first started playing. But he found a team he liked and things clicked. Some of those same guys he played with growing up are now his teammates on a Dripping Springs team that is one of the best in central Texas.

“It’s a really crazy experience to be all on varsity together,” says Rummel. “Playing for hopefully a state title, we’re aiming for state and want to win.”

Rummel has developed into a dominant pitcher for the Tigers. He’s earned dozens of accolades like district pitcher of the year and played for the Team USA 18-U team this summer. He throws in the mid 90s and has the mentality of being the best on the mound.

“I get really simple. I look at the mitt and just envision a tunnel, me and the mitt,” Rummel says. “It doesn’t matter if I got taken yard the last pitch. I’m still looking to throw a strike this next pitch.”

His success turned into plenty of recruiting attention, but for Rummel, the college decision was pretty easy. He picked Texas.

“I mean it’s Texas, Hook ‘Em,” Rummel says. “Great baseball history, great facilities, great academics, everything about it was appealing to me and it was close to home.”

While Rummel puts a lot of work into his baseball career and hopes to pitch in the pros one day, he says balance in life is important.

“I think the best thing any athlete can do is dabble in other fields, it makes you better at what you like,” says Rummel. “I like to draw, I write, I read, I cook, all these things have helped me understand myself more.”