Continuing the series that began in 2016-17, each Wednesday MGoBlue.com will highlight a Michigan student-athlete and their academic pursuits. These are our Scholar-Athlete Stories, presented by Absopure.
By Matthew Mahoney
Junior Dylan Stanton had his eyes set on attending the University of Michigan since he can remember, but the thought of playing baseball at his dream school did not come until much later on.
“I always knew (Michigan) was the end goal,” he said. “This is where I wanted to come because of the prestigious academics and athletics. But I really didn’t see myself playing a sport in college. I thought I was just going to be a regular student.”
That is where Stanton’s family came in. His dad, a former college baseball player, and his brother Cade, who plays baseball at Grand Valley State, pushed Dylan to realize his potential of playing college baseball at the highest level. Coming from a competitive family, Stanton was not one to be outworked and his family dynamic only fueled his drive to achieve greater success.
“After practices, we would always be there at least an hour more training. My dad would have us run home, jump rope, pushups and sit-ups, every day after practice,” Stanton said. “We’re putting in the work because we want to be the best in the area, we want to be the best at the school. By the time you’re a freshman, you’re doing that yourself because that’s all you’ve ever known.”
After years of hard work, Stanton started to reap the rewards in high school. At Gull Lake High School in Richland, Mich., he had a standout baseball career, earning All-Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference first team honors both his sophomore and junior years, as well as being named team MVP as a junior. Despite the success, Stanton was not satisfied, hoping to surpass his brother who was playing college baseball.
“I just always wanted to beat him,” Stanton said. “I was like, if he played baseball somewhere, I’m going to play baseball somewhere.”
After realizing he wanted to play college baseball, Stanton had his eyes on Michigan from the jump, but it took some time for the Wolverines’ staff to notice him.
“(Former assistant coach Nick) Schnabel was coming to watch another recruit from the same area, but I must have played well because after that game, I was able to talk to him,” Stanton said. “So then after talking to him, I was like, you know what, maybe I can do this. I’m just going to…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at University of Michigan Athletics…