By Maddy Vitale
Dan Nunan graduated from Ocean City High School with the Class of 2018. He went on to bigger things and credited the district for much of his success.
On Monday, the left-handed pitcher, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels, gave some fifth grade students in his uncle Chris Nunan’s class some important pointers on becoming successful.
The top ones were to get eight hours of sleep, eat healthy and do your best in school. When it came to sports, work hard and practice, practice, practice, he said.
He began the informal talk with his favorite quote by Ben Franklin, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
Some students asked Nunan, 18, questions about his favorite sports, besides baseball. Swimming was at the top of his list. Of course, baseball was his most beloved sport.
Then came some questions by fellow ball players in the fifth grade class.
“Have you ever thrown a knuckle ball?” asked Luke Finnegan.
“No, have you?” Nunan said with a smile.
Later on, Luke asked a question many of the students seemed excited to find out the answer to.
“What is your fastest pitch?” he asked.
Nunan said it was 91 mph. He said he loves fast pitches. His last year at Ocean City High School, he recalled one game when he had 15 strikeouts. He ended his senior year with a 5-0 record, 1.49 ERA and 74 strikeouts.
Nunan credited his coaches at Ocean City High School for some of his success and said he takes what he learned at the school with him as he goes on to hopefully, one day, make it to the majors.
Although, he said, he knows he has a long way to go. He also said he is up for the challenge and feels grateful every day that he can do what he loves for a living.
Ocean City Schools Superintendent Kathleen Taylor said of Nunan’s visit, “It is so like Dan to want to come in and talk to younger students about believing in themselves and achieving their goals.”
