STORY: Cornblum Ready To Bring Energy To Wichita State
April 18, 2018
WACO, TX - Who says the recruiting process is stressful?
“I love it,” Couper Cornblum said. “Every time I’m on the field and someone’s watching I want to show what I’ve got. I want people to see my game.”
Wichita State liked what they saw and offered the Midway junior shortstop a scholarship. When Cornblum took a visit to the American Athletic Conference school the feeling was mutual.
“On the visit I attended a practice,” the 6-0 166-pounder explained. “It was nice to see the energy they brought to practice and it got me to like their mentality on the field. As soon as I left campus, I realized how great the coaches were interacting with me and how the players interacted on the field. That’s the type of school I wanted to go to.”
Two days later, Cornblum committed to Wichita State.
“It was my first time ever there and the area was awesome,” related Cornblum, who was also considering Auburn. “It was not what I expected.”
Texas and Rice were also in conversations with Cornblum, who drew college exposure at numerous PBR events and summer events.
“They first saw me in the summer and we started communicating right away,” Cornblum said of Wichita State. “Once I made a visit, I was set on becoming a Shocker.”
While Cornblum liked the energy shown at the Wichita State practice, the same could be said on what brought interest from the Shockers in the 35th-ranked player in the state’s 2019 class.
“They like how I brought energy to the field and that I’m always hustling,” Cornblum noted. “My mentality is to give every ounce of effort I have. I will contribute in whatever way I can to help the team win.”
The right-handed hitting Cornblum has plenty to offer the Wichita program.
“I believe I can bring multiple tools,” Cornblum said. “I have speed on the bases and I can hit with power. On the field I have range to get balls that maybe others can’t and I can provide a strong arm with that range.”
But Cornblum understands the challenges ahead in playing at the next level.
“There’s a bunch of talent there,” Cornblum explained. “I really have to develop each year and I believe offseason development will help me there. Strengthening my mentality at the plate will also be important. That will require a routine which would help me out a lot.”
The opportunity to play baseball in college is a dream come true for Cornblum.
“I can’t remember a time when I didn’t think about playing at the next level,” Cornblum said. “When it got to be my freshman year it became more realistic. Colleges started emailing me and took attention to the type of game I bring.”
To that, Cornblum credits a number of influences.
“The biggest is my dad,” Cornblum said about his father Eddie. “Having him as both a coach and a person helped me out at home. He’s really helped with my mentality of the game. It’s great having a person like that to help you out.
“My summer coaches (Billy Brewer and Todd Haney with the Waco Storm Astros) also helped guide me,” Cornblum continued. “Another is coach (Chris) Berry at MCC (McLennan). He’s a close friend of ours and I was glad to have him and my father guide me through this.”
A 3.9 student with plans to major in sport management, Cornblum’s position in college is uncertain at this time.
“They didn’t promise me anything, I have to earn it like in any program,” Cornblum said. “They just said they’d try to keep me in the infield.”
At this stage, it means little to Cornblum.
“I just wanted to commit so there was not the pressure to get a college scholarship,” Cornblum noed. “Now I can focus on my game.”
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