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ESCANABA -- A former Gladstone athlete had to adapt to a few changes as he moved on to college, and it'd be difficult to say it wasn't working out for him. Christian Creten is currently attending his freshman year at Finlandia University and earned himself a starting linebacker position this season.
"I'd never played linebacker before," he said. "I always played defensive end during high school. My linebacker coach at Finlandia really helped me get into the swing of things. He helped me with some things, and I think that really pushed me forward into the season.
"It was different at first. I wasn't too sure about it. I was just nervous at first, but after the first two weeks, I thought I'd really like it."
Creten didn't start during the season opener, but after logging six tackles, he earned himself a spot for the rest of the season.
"I didn't start the first game -- I just played a few snaps," he said. "I think I ended up with around six tackles, and after that, I started for the next nine weeks. It was really nice."
During his first season, Creten racked up multiple records. He finished first in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and 10th in the NCAA Division 3 rankings for tackles per game (11.4), logged double digit tackles in eight games -- with his highest in a game reaching 17 -- and led the MIAA in solo tackles. He also finished second in Finlandia history in solo and total tackles for a season.
"It felt great," he said. "I felt like I finally accomplished what I wanted to playing football, and it was a great feeling being able to help my team and knowing they could rely on me."
Despite his success, the Lions finished the season 0-10.
Creten wasn't even sure he'd be going to Finlandia this year.
"It was kind of a crazy start," he said. "I was supposed to go to Bay College this year to play baseball, but I wasn't really sure about it or where my heart really was. So, I was sitting in the Meijer parking lot and just decided to give coach (Travis) Wiltzius (head coach for Finlandia football) a call -- he had texted me earlier in the year to see if I wanted to play, but I was iffy about it. I called him that night and that's how it got started."
The business major found the switch from high school to college was one he could flourish in.
"It was different for sure," he said. "You didn't have people pushing you, you just had to do it yourself. I think that's the big difference from high school to college -- you have to make a game plan and stick to it."
Creten is already making preparations for next season in hopes of repeating his success.
"I'm doing lots of weight training and doing the right training to build up more muscle to stay fit for the next season," he said. "I'm really looking forward to next season after this one. It really gave me confidence and let me know what I could do."
Creten believes the support from his family and friends is another motivator for his success.
"I'd like to thank my whole family," he said. "Especially my girlfriend and my parents because they've really been supporting me the whole way. I also want to thank two of my high school coaches, Don Koish and Cory Marmilick. They stuck with me throughout and really believed in me."