Perkins’ Preston Gajewski wants to build his own legacy
Preston Gajewski, a Perkins-Tryon High School senior, wants to pave his own path.
“It’s hard to be known as Kenny Gajewski’s son, but I just want to be known as Preston Gajewski,” the baseball and football player said. “It’s hard, too, because I want to be a coach just like him, but it’s going to be so hard to compare to him, because he’s been so successful. “But I want to be just as successful,” Preston said.
Preston is the son of Kenny Gajewski, the ninth-year Oklahoma State University head softball coach who has led the Cowgirls to four straight College World Series appearances.
Preston, an NOC-Tonkawa baseball signee, wanted to be just like his dad in pursuit of a collegiate baseball career, but there was pressure associated with achieving that goal.
“College was always a thought, starting from little league. It was always a dream for it to happen, but once I got into high school, it became a goal for me to play,” Preston said. “I’ve been around the college level my whole life, from my dad coaching it and him playing at the Division I level, so I knew I wanted to play.”
Preston chose NOC-Tonkawa for two reasons: distance and coaching.
“I had a good connection with the head coach, Michael Keeran, so it just felt like the right fit for me,” Preston said.
Kenny played at Cerritos Junior College before transferring to Oklahoma and helping the Sooners to a national championship in 1994.
“All I ever wanted to do was follow in his footsteps, but it’s good to have pressure. It makes me work harder, day-by-day.”
But Preston wants even more out of his playing career than to be a great high school or college baseball player. He wants to go even farther than his dad did.
“All my life, people have said we are the exact same: same work ethic, same drive to succeed. But I think I’m different in the fact that I want to play this game until I physically can’t anymore. I want to go far in this game,” Preston said. “I mean, to be drafted is every kid’s dream. But that’s all I think about.”
For this year, though, Preston will take making All-State; that’s his No. 1 goal, followed by “just becoming better as a player and teammate.”
Preston prides himself in his work ethic — in all aspects of life. Like the baseball itch, it’s something he inherited from his dad.
“My dad used to say as a kid he was a grinder/hustler, would do anything to make money or to impress and do whatever your boss/coach, do it better than they say. Be different from the rest,” Preston said.
While his dad has had an undeniable impact on Preston’s life, his mother is just as big a part of who he is today.
“My mom, she has been my biggest supporter throughout my whole career,” Preston said. “Being my No. 1 fan, taking me to practices and never missing a game from summer ball to high school.”
Being a Perkins Demon means everything to Preston. He hopes his life has a lasting effect on his teammates, classmates, coaches and teachers.
“[I’ve] loved playing here, met some of my friends I call family here. I’m lucky enough to play with them. I hope they remember me as a great teammate and friend for my teammates, and for my coaches, I hope to leave a legacy,” Preston said. “I hope [classmates] remember me as being someone that can make them laugh and help my classmates feel like family, same with my teachers.”
