Shoot’n for the stars

Claremore athlete’s journey to OSU teaches him to persevere

By Bill Garrett, Sports Editor

November 18, 2009 — Attending a small Christian school within the city limits of Claremore, Nathan Gilsleider knew his chances of securing a scholarship at a Division I university where slim to none and slim had already walked through the door.

He knew at Claremore Christian School he scored 35 points and basketball players at larger area schools scored 15 and they still received all the press. He was going to have to prove himself at a much smaller college first.

While at CCS Gilsleider played every sport the Warriors had to offer — baseball, basketball and soccer.

The faith-based school was one year away from forming a football team or he would have played that as well. So Gilsleider began sending out DVDs to schools all over the area.

The 6’3” left-hander had only one offer after graduation and that was from Hesston College in Hesston, Kan.

Hesston offered him scholarships in baseball and basketball. The two-year Mennonite college was Gilsleider’s only chance to continue playing a sport after high school, so he took it.

“After I went to Hesston it wasn’t long before I knew I wasn’t going to be comfortable there. So I came back during the summer and played on the Claremore Rangers summer league baseball team,” he said.

Gilsleider had several friends on the team who had attended Eastern Oklahoma State University in Wilburton the following semester.

“I went to Wilburton and pitched in the bullpen for them and Coach Aric Thomas offered me a scholarship,” Gilsleider said.

At EOSU Gilsleider thought he was finally getting his chance. He had a scholarship to pitch at a respected baseball school for a highly respected baseball coach.

But another obstacle stepped into his path.

“I had lost a lot of velocity on my pitching. I went from throwing 87 to 89 mph fastballs to 83 to 82 mph fastballs,” he said.

He was sent to a doctor in Tulsa whose diagnosis wasn’t good. Gilsleider had torn his labrum. A condition 15 years ago that was called “dead arm.” The labrum is a soft fibrous tissue that helps stabilize the socket joint in the shoulder.

Gilsleider now faced surgery and rehabilitation.

Four anchors were placed in his shoulder which were then tied to the labrum again.

“I don’t really think the operation took. I should have only had to rehabilitate it for four months, but after eight months my velocity still hadn’t returned, that is when I was finished with baseball.”

Gilsleider is not one to sit long. Immediately he talked with Coach Thomas and they both looked at his options.

“I had always wanted to play football, but never had the chance to at CCS. When you get something you love taken away, you have to find something else to replace it.”

Going from baseball at a state university to playing football at not only a Division I school, but also a school in the Big 12 seemed like a big jump.

“Yes it was a big step, but I have always been one to shoot for the stars. I am definitely not shy,” Gilsleider said.

Gilsleider had always been an Oklahoma State Cowboy fan so it was an easy selection as his choice to walk-on there.

After increasing his running and weightlifting workouts at EOSU Gilsleider walked-on for football practice the summer between his sophomore and junior year.

“It was a culture shock for me, football coaches are different types of coaches than any other type of coach you will ever have in your life.”

Gilsleider walked on during the conditioning phase of the Cowboy’s workouts, probably the toughest of any phase.

“I didn’t know I could push my body that far,” Gilsleider said.

Of the 12 who walked only three that remain.

In the two years he has been on the team, last year he saw action in four or five games.

This year he took on a new job. He is one of the two players who holds the cards up telling the offense what play to run.

“The only thing I would change is I wished I had gone to EOSU first instead of Hesston. I think it would have been so much different if I had,” Gilsleider said.

Gilsleider’s future has him pursuing a masters degree in strength and conditioning.

“I learned a lot about myself by playing football and I wouldn’t change a thing. This rollercoaster ride has taught me how to preserve.”