Wichita Collegiate senior Gavin Schmitter said this offseason has been about growth, accountability and restoring a standard for a program looking to bounce back.
“While we lost many weapons last year to graduating, we still have many more that are on the uprise,” Schmitter said. “Landon Langston is coming back with a chip on his shoulder and pair that with Mason Bond, Ethan Eyster and Jai Johnson and you’ll see how much of a threat this team will be.”
Schmitter has been a two-way contributor on the offensive and defensive lines, earning 2nd Team All-League honors at both offensive line and defensive end, along with 3A All-State Honorable Mention recognition at offensive line. While he said he does not have complete statistical records from last season, he emphasized that individual accolades are secondary to team success.
The senior said his focus this offseason has been on developing his game and leadership through structured team workouts and extra work outside of practice.
“I’ve been working hard this summer both on my game and in the weight room,” Schmitter said. “We have workouts Monday-Thursday that are mandatory but I am also trying to take that a step further and workout at home on the weekends and I’ve also added doing 100 push-ups and sit-ups daily. I do all of this with the extra push from my parents and it’s helping me hold myself accountable.”
Schmitter also credited team camp experiences, including Washburn University’s team camp, as valuable opportunities for development against higher-level competition.
“I haven’t been to any camps this year other than the Washburn team camp that our coach recommended we go to and we did as a team,” Schmitter said. “This was a very great opportunity and what a way to get a lot of reps in as a team already. That camp helped me work on my game as a DE and OT against bigger schools that I wouldn’t have gone against otherwise.”
On the field, Schmitter said his goals extend beyond personal performance, focusing instead on leadership and team success as Collegiate looks to rebound.
“Some goals of mine are to be a real game changer and a great leader for our team and definitely of the D-line and a great protector for my quarterback,” he said. “I honestly just want to be the best player and teammate I possibly can, because there is no ‘I’ in team. So if my team is successful that is honestly and truly all that matters.”
He added that while a state title is always the ultimate goal, the priority is improvement and restoring program expectations.
“Of course I can sit here and say that I want that state title, because that’s what everyone wants and if that happens then I’ll be happy,” Schmitter said. “Honestly I just want to have a better season than our last. Want to restore that Collegiate legacy that we lost last season.”
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