Athletes Of The Week: Benjamin Peacock

Rosewood’s Benjamin Peacock is poised for a breakout year.

Peacock, who plays baseball, basketball and soccer, made significant headway as a sophomore, trained diligently in the offseason. Now, as a junior, he established himself as a leader on every team.

As a freshman, he was part of the Rosewood baseball team that reached the state championship series. During his sophomore season as Eagles’ goalie, Peacock helped the Eagles advance to the fourth round of soccer playoffs.

Peacock and the Eagles had everything in place to return to the state championship series last season, but the season was cut short because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“My favorite sport is baseball, but the second alternative is soccer,” Peacock said. “I’ve been playing soccer since I was three. Last year was probably the most fun I’ve ever had playing soccer.

“I’ve been playing baseball since I was about the same age. The thing I love about baseball the most is that it’s an independent sport, but at the same time, there are so many things that you have to incorporate into it with the team.”

Fast forward a year, and Peacock is back doing what he loves. He has been a steady presence for the Eagles on the soccer pitch, and he is ready to contribute to the baseball team this spring

Despite missing most of his sophomore season, it helped Peacock put everything into perspective, and it has made him even more grateful to play the sports he loves.

“It was devasting because as a sophomore, I had these big hopes and dreams and actually win it with probably one of the best teams we’ve had in a while,” Peacock said. “COVID just came in and shut it down, so we weren’t able to do anything.”

Peacock has always been fortunate to have the support of those around him. He fondly recalls playing baseball with his older brother, Johnathan Peacock, and believes that is where his competitive spirit blossomed.

When he entered high school, he learned from the upperclassmen on the baseball and soccer teams, and now as a junior, he has stepped into a leadership role.

Having played in plenty of big games, Peacock can guide his teammates through the ups and downs of the season because of his first-hand knowledge of what it takes to make a deep playoff run.

Peacock is the type of student-athlete who made the conscious choice to keep grinding to actualize his dreams.

“I pretty sure some of the kids hate me because I yell at them a lot, but I want them to understand that me yelling at them like that is trying to help them,” Peacock said. “I feel like I have to step in and take it up.

“I have very high expectations, and if we don’t meet those expectations, then it’s disappointing.”

Peacock’s enthusiasm for sports shines through in everything he does, and while the COVID-19 pandemic was a setback, he is ready to help lead a Rosewood team that has a chance to win its fourth straight conference title.

“Your junior year is a really big year for sports, and it’s been a really fun year,” Peacock said.