Senior Spotlight: Tanner Dunkel

With the cancellation of the remainder of the spring season and the winter championships, at least one Wells College senior spring student-athlete will be highlighted each weekend. Today's featured student-athlete is senior Tanner Dunkel from the baseball team.

Tanner is an English literature major from Schuylerville, N.Y., whose versatility allowed him to play various infield positions this past season.

First-year Wells head baseball coach Ryan Stevens had the following to say about Tanner, "Tanner was an awesome senior captain, four-year starting infielder and leader for the Wells baseball program. He will be sorely missed with his play on the field and leadership off the field. Tanner hit the historic 100-hit mark in the 12-11-win vs RIT on the last game of the shortened season. His enthusiasm and passion will carry him forward in great ways!"

Over his 111-game career at Wells, Tanner had 100 hits with 24 going for extra bases that included five triples and a homerun. Tanner scored 64 runs and batted-in 49 runners with a .279 batting average, .363 on-base percentage and .365 slugging percentage. In the field, Tanner stole 21 bases and had 123 putouts with 314 assists that included 41 double plays with a fielding percentage at .864.

During the shortened 2020 season, Tanner recorded nine hits with a third of those going for extra bases for a .273 batting average, .351 on-base percentage and .364 slugging percentage, while scoring seven runs and batting-in three runners during nine games. In the field, Tanner had five putouts and 14 assists and also recorded three stolen bases.

Why did you choose Wells College?

The small classroom size allowed me to connect with professors better and the overall small community that was similar to what I had in high school. It made me comfortable at Wells. The ability to pursue a degree in English education and also continue my athletic career was also a major factor in my decision.

What is your favorite memory at Wells College as a student-athlete?

Upsetting top-seeded Keuka in the 2019 NEAC playoffs on their home field 5-0. It was also our first NEAC tournament appearance in program history.

What are your plans after Wells College?

I plan to live near Schuylerville and pursue a career in special education or English education. I am also going to be obtaining my master's degree online likely through SUNY Plattsburgh. I would also like to coach high school sports in some capacity in addition to teaching.

What advice would you give to the next person wearing your number?

Sounds cliché, but wear it with pride and thank God every day for the position that you're in. Not many people get the opportunity to play college sports and most that do take it for granted. I'm forever grateful to play baseball in college and to graduate with a degree.

If you had a favorite class during your time at Wells College, what was it and why was it your favorite?

Creative non-fiction was one of my favorites. I'm not really a writer, but writing personal narratives was something that was fun and came easy to me and it's something that everyone can do.

What will you miss the most about being a student-athlete at Wells College?

Constantly being busy. My whole life I've had to juggle my studies with sports and work as well. After graduation that's all gone. I'll be golfing, fishing and spending my time elsewhere, and I'll miss the competition that there was when I was a student-athlete. I love competing and I love winning at everything I do and without that, I hope to find it elsewhere, which is why I want to pursue coaching high school athletes in some capacity.