DaytonDailyNews.com

HAMILTON — Performing comes naturally to Badin High School senior Greg Valerius.

Whether it's throwing the discus or shot put for the Rams track and field team or acting in school plays, Valerius feels comfortable in performance mode.

"That's me," he said. "I guess I like the spotlight."

The 6-foot-8, 270-pound Valerius is expected to be among the better Division II throwers in Greater Cincinnati this spring.

He has made consistent strides in both events, particularly the discus, and should contend for Greater Catholic League Central Division titles.

"He's got the capabilities," Badin coach Steve Smith said. "He's been really attentive to what he needs to do. We're still trying to instill a little more killer instinct in him. He's really a pretty gentle guy. We want him to be a little meaner, a little more aggressive."

Valerius has followed in his brother John's track footsteps at Badin. Greg said he's aiming for family bragging rights in the discus and shot put, though he still has a ways to go to surpass his brother's best throws.

John is a sophomore basketball player at the College of Mount St. Joseph. Greg kicked off his track season at the Middletown Showdown last weekend, finishing third in the discus (123 feet, 2 inches) and fifth in the shot put (39-11¼).

"I started throwing freshman year and liked it a lot, so I kept with it," said Valerius, who throws under the direction of Rams assistant coach Mark Massey. "You've got to clear your mind and go through the motions as you practice it. If you think about it too much, it could go haywire."

That approach is valuable on the stage as well. He caught the acting bug in the seventh grade at St. Peter in Chains Elementary School (his first role came in "Inside Pitch," a baseball-themed musical) and has been a regular performer at Badin.

"From my perspective, I don't understand why people get so nervous in front of other people," Valerius said. "I like to go up there, rehearse a line and do all these goofy things with my friends. And people pay to come and watch us. That's kind of funny when you think about it."

Valerius has branched into directing and producing as well, though he doesn't plan to pursue the theater as a career.

He will attend Xavier University and major in secondary mathematics education, with a goal of becoming a high school math teacher. Valerius said he may also coach throwers and direct plays while teaching.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2194 or rcassano@coxohio.com.

Four to watch

Josiah Bragg, Cincinnati Christian: The senior finished eighth in the 3,200 meters at last year's Division III state meet.

Brandon Candella, Lakota West: The senior won the Division I district 800-meter race in 2008 and went on to place seventh in the regional.

Demetria Haynes, Hamilton: The sophomore was a seventh-place Division I regional finisher last season in the 200 meters.

Maddie Hirsch, Ross: The senior reached the Division I regional meet in two events last season, the 100- and 300-meter hurdles. She was district champion in the 300.