C.J. Couch is a senior at Buford High School. C.J. came to BHS in his sophomore year having spent his previous K-12 career in the Mill Creek Cluster. A native of Braselton, C.J. is the only child of Cal and Kim Couch. After his freshman year at Mill Creek High School, C.J. and his parents decided to apply for admittance into BHS because of the school’s high level of academics and athletics.
He started playing baseball at age four and fell in love with the game. Through the years, C.J. continued to improve his skills and decided he wanted to play for Buford. He played for the junior varsity baseball team his sophomore year, and varsity his junior and senior years as a pitcher.
C.J. had a successful season pitching for the Wolves in his junior year. He pitched 21.1 innings, faced 87 batters, and threw 331 pitches. He had a low ERA (earned run average) of 1.312. C.J. was looking forward to pitching for Buford during his senior year, but in the blink of an eye everything changed.
While throwing standard pitches over the summer during off-season practice, C.J. suffered a labral (cartilage) tear to his shoulder. Due to the severity of the injury, C.J. had to undergo surgery in September to reattach the labrum. Following the surgery, he had physical therapy to aid in his recovery. Shoulder injuries this severe typically require six months to a year for full recovery, meaning C.J. would miss at least part of his senior year of baseball.
Buford baseball head coach Stuart Chester praised C.J. for his hard work and support of the team during his recovery. “He is a good student and team leader. He has impacted us all through his setback with his work ethic and attitude in times of adversity,” said Chester. Fortunately, by the beginning of April, C.J. returned to pitch for the Wolves.
With academics a high priority, C.J. has maintained a 3.0 GPA. His course load this year includes Environmental Science, AP Psychology, American Literature, Macroeconomics, and Fine Arts. With a smile he claims his best subject is science while his worst is psychology. C.J. credits Dr. Beech, his language arts teacher during his sophomore and senior years, with helping him acclimate to Buford after transferring from Mill Creek. C.J. remarked that Beech “enjoys teaching and genuinely cares about us [students].” Although undecided on which college he will attend, C.J. would like to one day be a dentist and hopes to be able to continue to play sports beyond high school.
C.J. has become a role model to his peers. His strong character and ability to weather and overcome the darkest of storms has earned the respect of his coaches, teammates and fellow students. He defines the definition of a true Buford Wolf: selfless, determined, perseveres through adversity, adapts and overcomes.
