When you’re a three-sport athlete in high school, you’re doing something right.

For Liberty’s Jack Rothenhausler, his senior year was full of memories from golf, football and baseball, being the jack of all trades for his teams.

Whatever the team needed, Rothenhausler was there to lend his hand.

Whether it was being part of a district champion golf team, earning all-conference honors in football and finishing as a four-time all-star in baseball, Rothenhausler epitomized the blue collar work ethic of a Liberty athlete.

For all the success he enjoyed his senior season, Rothenhausler is this year’s Liberty Male Athlete of the Year for the Bethlehem Press.

“There were a lot of obstacles coming into senior year because of COVID guidelines and rules that we had to follow,” Rothenhausler said of his senior year review. “Having said that, it was so much different from previous years. It definitely made me realize that I should have appreciated it more because as shown it could be worse.”

Rothenhausler’s senior year started with a team district title in golf, as the Hurricanes made a run to the state finals before finishing as runner-up.

His fall transitioned to football where he started at middle linebacker in shortened season that saw Liberty finish 0-6 in a disappointing campaign, but being able to suit and play each week still made the daily grind of a football season worth it.

“I loved just being around my boys during football season even though we had a tough year,” he said. “We all kept our heads up and came to work everyday. I loved being with all the coaches. They were huge supporters and definitely people who helped me with more than just football. A couple favorite memories I had were just making big tackles for my team and everyone on the sidelines and stands getting excited. Also having a touchdown against Bethlehem Catholic was a favorite memory.”

Rothenhausler finished his senior season as a second-team middle linebacker and second-team punter, but where he excelled the most was on the baseball diamond, where Liberty was enjoying a historic spring, before falling short in the postseason.

The Hurricanes lost in the EPC and District 11 semifinals to finish the season 19-3, while Rothenhausler collected 25 hits, batting .481 with 29 RBI as an infielder. He also threw 18 innings and recorded 37 strikeouts with a 2.32 ERA.

He earned first team EPC honors this year and despite having their season end with a 3-2 loss to Parkland in the district semis, Rothenhausler reflected on what the year meant.

“A couple things that I took away from this season is to just enjoy the times you have with your friends because stuff like that doesn’t last forever,” he said. “I know that in the future I’m going to miss playing the game I love with my boys. There were a lot of favorite moments I have from the spring, just the huge hits and the home runs and winning games was a great time even though we lost in the playoffs. Playing for coach [Andy] Pitsilos was always a pleasure since my freshman year. He had a lot of trust in me and treated me the same way as some of the other veterans on the team and I definitely think it made me a better player.”

Rothenhausler now heads to East Stroudsburg where he’ll play baseball and look to forge new memories, but he’ll always have a special place in his heart for his time as a Hurricane.

“I want people to remember me leaving Liberty as a great athlete but not just that,” Rothenhausler said. “I always tried to be up beat and never tried to bring anyone down. I tried to teach others so that they can become better too.”