- February 4, 2025
-
-
Loading
Loading
Spruce Creek High School senior Travis Baranowski knows what it is like to suffer defeat.
When he tried out for the high school basketball team in ninth grade, he was cut. He was told he was "not athletic enough." What is so remarkable about that?
Nothing, unless you are a 14-year-old kid whose dream was smashed in a day. It was Baranowski’s first defeat. He doesn’t like to lose.
Baranowski had a choice to make. He could quit, but the challenge to prove to the world and himself that he was a top athlete would go unfulfilled. Despite being one of the best players on a traveling basketball team and having his buddies surround him with support, Baranowski was out.
“It was the worst day of my life,” he said.
But instead of giving up, he got serious. In ninth grade, he ran track to increase his speed. He made the varsity volleyball team that year and was named Rookie of the Year. Volleyball helped him with his agility skills and ability to jump. He began working with a shooting coach and going to LA Fitness center to build strength and stamina.
Baranowski got serious about academics, too. He learned early that to be a success, one has to be serious about everything, including school work. He started studying. Currently he is dual enrolled in Spruce Creek High School and Daytona State College and carries a 4.35 GPA.
When he is not playing ball, studying or hanging out with his friends and family, Baranowski gives back to the community by volunteering at Halifax Health Medical Center. He wants to major in nursing in college.
Baranowski made the basketball team in tenth grade. He was on the bench more than in the game.
From ninth grade on, several coaches have been in Baranowski’s court. Coach Kevin Cregger was coach of the traveling basketball team and head coach of the junior varsity school team. He always supported Baranowski and fought for him to get onto the tenth grade team. Cregger saw the skills, hard work, and determination Baranowski showed. He encouraged Baranowski to never give up.
Head basketball coach, Chase Tramont, gave Baranowski a chance to show what he could do when Baranowski made the eleventh grade team.
“The coaches helped me by believing in me,” Baranowski said. “Encouraging me, working with me and demanding my best every second I was with them, practicing and playing in games.”
Tramont has watched Baranowski mature throughout the years. Baranowski has become a star player and top leader.
“There are some players who, when they are not present, are barely missed," Tramont said. "Not with Travis. He is a leader and when he is not there, he is missed.”
Tramont also quoted his father, who coached basketball in the 60s and 70s, saying “'Give me five Travis Baranowskis and I’ll win.”
Baranowski's father, Frank Baranowski, is appreciative of those who believed and supported his son. He finds it ironic that Travis Baranowski was considered "not athletic" as he and his family are avid surfers and his wife was a championship volleyball player. Sports have always been part of the Baranowskis lives, and so has hard work and determination.
Frank Baranowski thinks that his son’s experience is a lesson in life.
“One does not always get the first job,” he said, “It takes many tries to achieve success. Travis learned an early lesson."
