Overcoming The Odds

Bloomfield Hills had a challenging season this year in the win column after making the playoff’s the previous season. You can say losing a bunch of seniors was the major difference this season but with this adversity brought an opportunity for a rising star to step up and make a difference. Sophomore QB Tanner Slazinski was just on the Freshmen/JV team last year and had the opportunity to showcase his skill set on the biggest stages this year.

Slazinski is a 6’3” lanky Quarterback who can move in the pocket! Last season Slazinski recorded 8 touchdowns in only 4 starts. “My goals for the 2019 season are more so Team goals than they are personal goals. I want the offense we run to be sound. averaging 30 offensive points a game. I want to throw for over 1000 yards,” said Slazinski.

Bloomfield Hills plays in one of the toughest conferences in Oakland County (OAA Red). We wanted to know from Slazinski on what is going to motivate him to perform at the highest level next season knowing they have a lot to prove. “Being in the OAA Red playing against some of the best teams in the state. Every work out and every offseason practice stays in the back of my head. I know and I stress to my team that if we are going to beat some of these monster teams next year, we have to work twice as hard as they do.” The schools in the OAA Red division are West Bloomfield, Clarkston, Lake Orion, Oxford, Southfield A &T, and Rochester Adams.

As a Quarterback you have to have an intangible that separates you from anyone who plays that position, “I believe my drive separates me from others. I don’t like to waste time. So, in workouts or lifts I put 100% in so that I constantly see myself getting better. In the areas where I lack in size, weight and speed, I believe I measure up to in effort and heart.” said Slazinski. The Quarterback has to be the leader on and off the field at all times. You have to be the first at practice and last one to leave. Dedication to your craft is what college coaches drool over.

Slazinski will be going into his Junior season next year and that is a very important year for high school recruits. Junior year is when colleges have you on their radar to see if you can compete at the next level. This drives student athletes to work harder in the off-season and maintain their grades. We asked Slazinski what drives him to become successful. “I think I work hard because my dad drives me to work hard. My dad drives me to be successful because he has preconceived ideas of what my future holds. To reach his goals for myself, he pushes me to get better every day.” Slazinski is putting himself in a great position by having people in his life that want to see him succeed. He is getting the proper training and also doing well in the classroom. Slazinski currently has a 3.9 GPA.

The off-season is very important for Slazinski. “I work out in the weight room 7 times a week. I throw with my receivers twice a week and workout with my quarterback back coach, Coach Dooley, every Thursday and Sunday. I work out with Reggie Wynns at Rising Stars and compete against the best kids in the state,” said Slazinski. With all the hard work and commitment that Slazinski is putting in, Bloomfield Hills will be in the playoffs next season.

When it comes to chasing our dreams, we tend to have the odds stacked up against us. And overcoming the odds is what we must do to reach our dreams. “My dream is to play at the next level. I do what I do because I enjoy it. So, I put my life into the game,” said Slazinski.

There is no doubt that you will be hearing Tanner Slazinski’s name being called on Saturday morning’s because he is a rising star.

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