Quillan Oberto is a four-year Senior and a co-captain of Boys Varsity Baseball. He is committed to Vassar College next year.
Head Coach Matthew Altieri said, “Sometimes captains lead by example; sometimes captains lead through the way they talk to the team. Quillan does a great job with both. He is a crucial player to the success of the team, and his presence is extremely important. He will be hard to replace once he graduates.”
Co-captain Adam Wright ’24 said, “As a co-captain, he always hypes up the team before games and gets the guys ready to play. He is also a great friend on the team—always checking up on people, looking out for them, and making sure they are doing the best they can.”
How has your role changed on the team?
My career at Hotchkiss has been split into two different halves. Iy Prep and Lower Mid years, playing with the older players was extremely fun.
Looking up to those guys was a great experience. It was a great chance to grow and learn from them. These past two years have been different, having to fill that leadership role.
Being a leader, I always have to be on my “A” game to set an example and make sure that I’m instilling the values that previous Seniors instilled in me.
How has your baseball career at the school impacted you?
It’s been tough, so it’s taught me how to play through adversity and results we don’t really want. I feel like that’s been the biggest lesson: finding the thing you want to play for, even if you’re not finding success all the time.
For me, that’s been picking something to work on before each game while having fun and making sure the younger guys are also finding their way.
Why did you choose Vassar?
I went to a showcase at Vassar at the end of the summer and they offered me [a spot] after that. When I visited the campus, I felt like it was definitely a place where I could see myself. Also, it was the best academic school that I got an offer from.
To make the process easier, I decided to commit to going there instead of waiting deep into the fall or winter to commit to a school.
What’s a major lesson you have learned at the school?
I have learned to maintain enjoyment for the game even if I am not having a great season, going through a slump, or not hitting well. I have also learned how to keep my head up throughout the ups and downs and to maintain confidence.
