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Circling the Bases ... with Chase Stanke
2/1/2019 12:35:00 PM | Baseball
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HIT & RUN
Favorite actor or actress: Christian BaleFavorite athlete: LeBron James Favorite book or author: The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch Favorite class you're taking at the U of M: OUE Favorite game/video game: Fortnite Favorite hobby (outside of sports): hanging out with friends Favorite musical artist or band: Kanye West Favorite Netflix show or movie: Impractical Jokers Favorite professional team: Green Bay Packers Favorite restaurant: Chipotle Favorite app or website: Twitter Biggest fear: heights Biggest pet peeve: being late to something Dream vacation spot: Santorini Person you'd most like to meet: LeBron James Something you never leave home without: wallet Sport you'd like to try but never have: hockey Funniest teammate: Cole McDevitt Hardest-working teammate: Eli Wilson Most competitive teammate: Brett Schulze Most studious teammate: Zack Elliott |
Another Illinois native crossing state lines to join the Maroon & Gold, Stanke comes from the highly regarded Marmion Academy in Aurora, where he started for three seasons and served as team captain in two for the Cadets. He was twice named an Underclass Honorable Mention All-American and in 2018 earning a Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-America selection. He earned All-Area, All-State, All-Chicago City, and All-Conference honors during his prep career while highlighting his career with a third place finish in the Illinois Class 3A State High School League Tournament in 2017. He played his club baseball for Top Tier Hoffman alongside fellow Gopher rookie Andrew Wilhite.
Stanke ranked as the no. 1 catcher in the state and the no. 22 backstop nationally by Prep Baseball Report, while Perfect Game named him the no. 3 catching prospect in Illinois and no. 79 nationally. Stanke had four extra-base hits in 18 at-bats, driving in six runs and scoring four times to help the Maroon team during this fall's Steak 'n' Beans series at Siebert Field.
GopherSports.com: Why did you choose to attend the University of Minnesota?
Chase Stanke: "I chose to attend the University of Minnesota because of my relationship with the coaching staff, the culture they have established, and the academic opportunities that the University offers."
GS: When did you first start playing baseball and how did you first get involved in the sport?
CS: "I began playing baseball around the age of four. My dad was the person who introduced me to the sport."
GS: What would you say is your biggest strength in your sport? What is an area of improvement for yourself?
CSS: "I believe my passion for the game is my biggest strength. I have plenty of areas I hope to improve in, but one in particular is my base running and speed.
GS: Do you have any game day rituals or superstitions?
CS: "I do not have any superstitions."
GS: What is your most memorable moment of playing your sport?
CS: "The most memorable moment of my baseball career was making the state semifinals with my high school team in 2017 for the first time in school history."
GS: Who has been the biggest influence on your athletic career?
CS: "My parents have been the biggest influence on my athletic career. They have constantly supported me ever since I started playing."
GS: Did you play any other sports besides baseball growing up?
CS: "I played football until I started high school."
GS: What are you most looking forward to in this upcoming season?
CS: "I'm looking forward to playing against good competition and spending time with the team."
GS: Do you have any advice for aspiring youth athletes?
CS: "Working hard is much more enjoyable if you surround yourself with quality people."
Gopher Baseball season tickets are available now! The Maroon & Gold return to campus on Friday, March 29 against Nebraska. This 21-game package includes Minnesota's game against Oklahoma at Target Field on Saturday, April 20. Click here to purchase yours today.
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