This week's CCX Sports Spotlight shines a light on two rising baseball standouts from Maple Grove Senior High School, as profiled by veteran reporter Chaz Mootz.
Oliver Taynton and Beckett Shimpa have turned heads with dominant performances during a 21‑game regular season, each posting offensive numbers that rank among the best in the state.
Taynton finished the year with 26 hits, two home runs and 14 runs batted in, batting .426, while Shimpa added 24 hits, six homers and 22 RBI, posting a .353 average, underscoring their reliability at the plate.
College Destinations
Taynton has pledged to continue his career at Marshalltown Community College, a junior college in Iowa that has become a stepping stone for many aspiring players. Shimpa, on the other hand, has committed to Stanford University, where the Cardinal program is known for its blend of academic rigor and competitive baseball.
Both prospects are expected to bring high‑level hitting and power to their respective programs, and analysts believe their early college experiences will shape the next chapter of their athletic journeys.