Senior elevates game to next level

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Wednesday, May 6, 2009 | 11:59 p.m.

Justin M. Bowen

Boulder City’s Shane Levin takes a swing during a recent game.

Ray Brewer

Boulder City High senior Shane Levin is stuck playing sports in the wrong era.

In a day and age where most high school athletes specialize in one sport, Levin plays three for the Eagles and is a team leader in each.

He played wide receiver and linebacker on the football team, started at center on the Eagles' state champion basketball team and is an outfielder on the baseball team.

It's a feat that was common — and often expected — for athletes of yesteryear but far from the norm nowadays.

Levin, who Boulder City baseball coach Bill Strachan calls his squad's most valuable player, takes his dedication to the next level. He's a throw back and proud to be the school's athletic workhorse.

"He is by far the best kid we have out there," Strachan said. "He is the most complete player and the hardest worker. He's just an outstanding kid and one heck of an athlete."

Going from one sport to the next without a break can be chaotic, but you won't hear Levin complain. He loves the competition and helping his team win.

"Of course it wears me down," Levin said. "But I love doing this. I couldn't not do it."

A handful of others at the school play three sports, but none of them impact their team like Levin. He is consistently good at everything.

He was second on the football team in receiving with 19 receptions for 319 yards and one touchdown and averaged 8.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in basketball.

It's no wonder why the 6-foot-4, 190-pound Levin was voted Most Athletic by his peers in Boulder City's senior class.

"He is just real coachable," Strachan said. "He is able to knock off the rust (when moving to a new sport) and play right away by listening to what the new coach tells him."

More importantly, Levin is willing to put in the work.

Toward the end of basketball season, he would play in a basketball game Friday night and spent Saturday at baseball practice.

"I just like being around sports and being competitive," Levin said. "The toughest part has nothing to do with the skills, it's the different conditioning for each sport."

Levin, who calls baseball his best and favorite sport, is hoping to find a spot on a junior college baseball roster next year. Focusing on one sport will be a change of pace.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@lasvegassun.com.