Recruiting Report: Chris Wandling (2018)
Chanhassen point guard Chris Wandling is a highly recruited MIAC football recruit but he’s always been a mature ball handler on the court since a young age.
The Storm is 1-4 on the season but their opponents have been tough (East Ridge, EdenPrairie, Shakopee, and New Prague) and all of the games have been close. Carson Hollowaty, Austin Carter, Regan Tollefson, and Wandling are the heart of this team and things will turn around.
“This season has started off on an interesting note,” Chris said. “We opened up with East Ridge in our first game and lost by three, and in our next game we played against New Prague and lost by two. As the captain of the team, I feel obligated to take charge and lead – especially because I’m the only returning starter on the team. We tee off with Osseo after Christimas and I’m looking forward to it. We’re pretty undersized but our speed and shooting ability is what allows us to succeed.”
Chris is scoring 11-12 points a game but his job is creating and leading on both ends.
“I feel that I have always been a good true point guard,” Wandling said. “My ball handling and passing has always been my biggest strength. Over the past years, improving on my ability to attack off the dribble and hit pull up jumpers has really propelled me forward.”
Despite the 1-4 start the expectations at Chanhassen are still high. Wandling believes in himself and his teammates.
“Although I am the only returning starter, I feel that the talent on our team this year is still great,” Wandling said. “Since I have been on the JV/Varsity team in 8th grade, I feel that this is the either the best or second best team I have been apart of. If we can learn to play well with each other and get rebounds then I expect a lot out of our team. I think we can compete with anyone when we play fast and don’t overthink things.
“Individually I would love to continue to be the best leader and player I can be. Continuing to have a positive attitude and taking control of the game is what I hope to accomplish. I believe the awards and other individual honors will come naturally from that.
“As a team, my goal is to win the conference and compete in sections to go to state. Like I said, the talent that we have on the team can allow us to do many great things this year. I went to the St. Thomas prospect camp this summer but I was contacted by St. Mary’s and Northwestern in St. Paul. While I play basketball, I also play football as a cornerback as well.”
Wandling has the ability to play college basketball but the football schools are swarming him about about playing MIAC football.
“I have been in contact with a number of different schools for football: St. Thomas, St. Johns, St. Olaf, Moorhead, Gustavus, St. Scholastica, UW Stout, and South Dakota came in the other day to talk with a few of us. I plan on taking an official visit to St. Thomas on the 5th of January to St. Thomas for football.
“I have visited St. Thomas and St. Olaf but not the others. Thank you for contacting me and if you need anything else then let me know.”