Schaner headed West; commits to Stanford
11/4 - Earlier this week Garrett Schaner made his college plans
public as he verbally committed to wrestle for Stanford University.
Schaner is the first Michigander to wrestle on the west coast in
recent years, however, his college choice is unique for more
than just geographical reasons.
The Big Rapids senior, who ranks as the #18 senior recruit in
Michigan per our Recruiting Rankings, passed up on the
opportunity to attend college and wrestle with his older brother
Seth, who is a freshman this year at Eastern Michigan.
"Eastern Michigan was my second choice," said Garrett, "My
brother goes there and a few of my friends like Mike Curby."
In addition, Schaner has trained with the Advantage Wrestling
Club throughout his prep career, which was founded by EMU
assistant coach David Bolyard and Stanford coach Jason Borelli
before he made the move to California, so he had ties to both.
"I've known coach (Jason) Borelli since he and David Bolyard started the Advantage Wrestling Club at CMU and I love his style of practices and I fell he really cares for all the wrestlers on the team. I think he is going to turn the (Stanford) program around out there so I am pretty excited," said Schaner.
With the obvious attraction to his brother, freinds, and former club coach at Eastern Michigan, it made Schaner's decision a little more complex, however, in the end Stanford seemed to be the best fit.
"Actually, I was really nervous about making my decision," said Schaner, "California is a long ways away, so it is going to be tough for me to leave my family and everyone who has helped me throughout the years. It kind of stinks that they won't be able to watch me, but on the other hand the weather out there is aweseom all year long. Also, I think being in a totally different atmosphere and living around a diverse group of people will be a great expierence for me."
Schaner is a 3x Division 3 All-Stater and has had a wealth of expierence on the national scence. This summer in Fargo he went 5-2 in the Junior Freestyle 145lb division, finishing a match away from All-American status. He noted the direction of the Stanford program, who signed a highly touted recruiting class last year in Borelli's first year as Head Coach, as another reason for his decision.
"I think Stanford's coaching staff is going to take the team a long ways. Borrelli's first recruiting class was 15th in the nation, so that was huge. I met a lot of the team, too, and they are all really cool," he said, "Plus the academics there are next to none and a degree from Stanford will provide me with countless oppurtunities."
Aside from Eastern Michigan, Schaner said he also considered Michigan State and Central Michigan.
This year he will be one of the favorites in Division 3 at 145lbs (he will be ranked #1 when the rankings come out tommorow), and come next year he will be trying his luck in the Pac-10 wrestling for Jason Borelli at Stanford. It is always nice to see Michigan kids getting out all over the country and Michigan Grappler wishes Schaner the best of luck in his journey westward.
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