Northwood record-setting soccer player Caiden Genson. (Courtesy Genson family)
By Yaneek Smith
Special to the Sentinel-Tribune
NORTHWOOD — Playing two sports in a school year is enough of a challenge. One would think playing varsity sports with a disability, and excelling, is beyond challenging.
But Northwood junior Caiden Genson is a dual-sport athlete that plays golf and soccer in the fall. Until this season, he played basketball, too.
He earned first-team honors in the Sandusky Bay Conference River Division in soccer, and was also a second-team selection in the district. Genson was voted Most Valuable Player for his third year in a row. But there is a catch.
“For context: Caiden was born without his left hand,” said Northwood Athletic Director Josh Heidebrink. “(Genson) has overcome adversity his whole life and chose to try a sport that is difficult to compete in without a disability. Throughout the year he worked his way to our No. 2 golfer and was consistently improving, while golfing with one hand.
“The last meet of the year he was roughly six inches away from a hole in one and ended up getting his first birdie. While watching this hole with other coaches they praised and commended Caiden for doing what he did all year. Not only did he improve on the course, but he had a great attitude all year.
“All of the coaches mentioned how their golfers were so impressed by what Caiden was able to do and how they thoroughly enjoyed themselves every time they were able to golf with him. It was truly amazing watching Caiden on the golf course throughout the year. Especially as a dual athlete and not getting the practice time that others were getting.”
Genson, who attends Penta Career Center and has a 3.5 GPA, had to alter his swing before finally settling on a grip.
“My little (right) arm has a nub. I just (use it) to support the golf swing, and with my left hand, it works on the follow through. I just go as far as I can and let go, it’s kind of hard to explain,” said Genson.
“I had to try a lot of different swings — at first only, I would only use my left hand, and then there were different hand positions. Then one day, at the range, I tried something new and it felt good and it stuck.”
Carl Genson, Caiden’s father, said “His teammates look to him and lean on him a bit. It’s his passion. He is very good at it, it’s natural (for him).”
School record holder
In soccer, the Rangers had a tough season but advanced to a Division V district semifinal before losing to Old Fort, 8-5.
“We had a new coach, and it was definitely different this season than (what) we’ve had,” Caiden Genson said. “It was new (because) we had some freshmen coming up, we lost a lot of seniors, and it was kind of a rebuilding year.”
Genson, who is a captain on the team, holds the program record for assists in a season (21) and assists in a game (three). During the offseason, Genoa plays for the Pacesetter Soccer Club in Sylvania.
Genson’s mother, Brooke, says her son has an upbeat personality.
“Growing up through the years, he had an ‘I’m going to do it’ attitude. He’s excelled at every sport that he’s tried,” she said. “His coaches were amazed at what he could do with a basketball. He’s the most athletic (of his four siblings). He doesn’t give himself enough credit.”
Caiden admits it was difficult shooting a basketball, which he also played at Northwood until this year.
“It was very challenging only being able to use one hand, so I had to find ways and moves to get my left side open,” said Caiden. “I feel my opponents always underestimated my ability to get open and score or pass to my teammates until I got out there and showed them. I was just as good as anyone else.”
Carl Genson says his son’s love of sports has been with him his entire life.
“He played baseball and played coach-pitch, he could field a ball and hit, too,” Carl Genson said. “He played first base a lot. He didn’t enjoy baseball because it was slow.”
For some, that brings to mind a former MLB pitcher named Jim Abbott, who pitched without a right hand. The Michigan native had a respectable professional career, going 87-108 with a 4.25 ERA. When he was playing for the New York Yankees, he threw a no-hitter in a 4-0 win over Cleveland on September 4, 1993.
Caiden has three older sisters and one older brother, so he’s the youngest.
“He’s the typical youngest sibling, where nobody is going to tell him he can’t do something. He’s always fighting with his sister. On the outside, he never seemed to emotionally be down on himself because of his situation, and he’s got an outgoing personality,” said Carl Genson.
“He has a lot of friends. Not only does he have four older siblings, he’s got older cousins, so he’s used to hanging out with older kids. His friends treated him as though nothing was different.”
