From the moment he picked up a bat at just 4 years old, wide-eyed and full of energy on the T-ball field, Sheldon Gardner was hooked.
His passion for the game grew fast and deep, fueled by the unwavering support of his parents and the lasting influence of his father's baseball legacy, both of whom he credits as the most influential figures in his high school journey.
“They hardly missed any of my high school games, and they’re always pushing me in sports and academically no matter what,” Gardner said. “I have big shoes to fill because my dad was a great baseball player so I’m trying my best to be like him.”
Gardner made an immediate impact when he stepped onto the field as a freshman in the 2021-22 season, proving his potential with a standout .405 batting average, the third highest on the team, and scoring 10 runs for the Bulldogs. Despite being surrounded by upperclassmen, he held his own defensively as well, recording a .850 fielding percentage and bumping it up to .889 in his sophomore season, showcasing his growing versatility.
By his junior year, Gardner had fully stepped into his role as a team leader, particularly on the defensive side. He posted a strong .912 fielding percentage and embraced new responsibilities on the mound, pitching 12 innings during the 23–24 season, tallying 16 strikeouts and committing just eight errors.
One of Gardner’s most memorable moments also came that year. In a high-stakes regional matchup against Simla, he delivered at the plate with three RBIs, helping drive in all five runs scored by Dove Creek to secure a spot in the final four of the coveted 1A state championship.
“I want to say my most memorable moment was last year, in regionals.” Gardner said. “I ended up having three RBIs to help score our five runs in one game and that took us to the final four, so I’ll never forget that.”
Now in his senior year, Gardner is not just leading, he’s dominating. Offensively, he boasts a staggering .622 batting average, racking up 28 hits, 25 RBIs, and 11 doubles. On defense, he continues to raise the bar, posting a personal best of a .954 fielding percentage, showing he’s the backbone of the Bulldogs on both sides of the game.
A true multisport athlete, Gardner has excelled in football and basketball, and in addition to his leadership on the baseball field, he’s balancing track and field, dedicating his spare time to shot put and discus events.
In his most recent football season, Gardner made a major impact on the gridiron, using his 6-foot-2 frame to record 73 total tackles across 10 games, including 25 solo and 48 assisted tackles. He also posted 17 tackles for loss, demonstrating his ability to break through the line. His impressive performance earned him an all-state honorable mention.
On the basketball court, Gardner closed out the winter season with 248 points, 70 assists, and 206 rebounds, helping lead the Bulldogs to an impressive 16-8 overall record and a 10-2 finish in the San Juan Basin League. A key player throughout high school, Gardner was part of all four of Dove Creek’s recent winning seasons. His consistent contributions earned him yet another all-state honorable mention.
Despite his outstanding accolades in multiple sports, his first love is baseball.
“In baseball, you fail more than you succeed since a lot happens all at once and that makes me want to try harder and get better,” he said. “There’s always a competitive edge to it that I don’t have in other sports so that makes me want to stay in it.”
Gardner’s success reaches far beyond the playing field. He’s also a standout in the classroom. His dedication to academics has paid off in a big way, as he will be attending Adams State University this fall on a full-ride scholarship. There, he plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering, continuing to push himself with the focus and drive that defined his athletic career.
His secret to success he’s achieved thus far is not anything complex. It’s a combination of pure passion and a relentless work ethic, values passed down to him by his parents.
“I got a lot of my work ethic from my parents to make sure I stay on top of things which I used to hate, but I really like it now,” Gardner said. “It allowed me to not fall behind and stay motivated. School’s first and sports are second. If I have time for other stuff, that comes in the end.”
As the Bulldogs aim to stay on top of the District 1-1A pool, Gardner reflects on the support of his community and the foundation laid by his father, Terence Gardner, a former Dove Creek star who once held the state’s highest batting average, as key motivations that keep him going under pressure.
“It’s mainly making my community proud and trying to take this team as far we can,” he said. “There’s a lot of people that come out, support, and put a lot into this team so I just try to be the best I can to give them something to watch.”
In his first year as head coach, but fifth overall with the program, Chris Beanland credits Gardner as a driving force behind the team’s success. He points to Gardner’s leadership and presence as key to helping the Bulldogs rally midway through the season, setting the tone for the strong run they've had so far.
“I’ve been around Sheldon all four years and he was a Day 1 starter for us as a freshman. He’s taken that experience and really blossomed this year as a leader,” Beanland said. “You need someone on the field that the kids look up to. When he speaks, everybody listens. Every team needs somebody like Sheldon.”
