April 2008: Murray Journal

Wrestler from Murray Named Academic All-State
by Catherine Garrett

At the Juan Diego Catholic High School wrestling team banquet held recently, signaling the official end of the season, senior Elliott Schatten of Murray was named most valuable wrestler. Apparently others have also taken notice as he was named Academic All-State for his academic and athletic excellence.

Soaring Eagle wrestling coach John Gavin said, “He won the award at our banquet for contributing the most to our team. To win the Academic All-State award
shows what we already know, that he really is pretty special.”

The most valuable wrestler award is the highest honor the Soaring Eagle program gives, because it recognizes the athlete who provides leadership and other intangibles that aren’t necessarily recorded on a stat sheet.

“He didn’t have the best record — he did pretty well — but he kept the team together academically by tutoring, driving guys home from practice, having his parents involved and just being a huge asset to our team,” Gavin said.

Schatten, son of Karl and Sharon Schatten, has maintained a 3.9 GPA while competing for the Soaring Eagle wrestling team throughout his four years of high school to achieve the All-State recognition.

“Being honored as an Academic All-State athlete is very exciting and rewarding,” Elliott Schatten said. “I had been working toward that goal since I was a freshman and I was very gratified to achieve that goal.”

His mother, Sharon, said Elliott is very “hardworking and studious” and was proud of his achievement. “I’m just tickled to death for how hard he worked and being rewarded for it,” she said.

As a leader on the Juan Diego wrestling team this past season, Elliott placed seventh in region in the 215-pound heavyweight division. He sprained his ankle just
before the state tournament and was unable to participate. He has also played lineman on the Soaring Eagle football team while battling an ACL injury as a junior and only playing part of his senior season. He is also on the track and field squad at the school competing in the shot put.

“Balancing academics and athletics has been a challenge at times, but our coaches instill in us that it is our responsibility and they expect us to fulfill our commitments to the team and school and to achieve the highest academic level we are capable of doing,” Elliott said. “I found that by concentrating on academics, then sports and then homework, it helped me organize my time and usually keeps me on track.”

A national merit finalist, he aims to continue his schooling through college and a doctorate program hoping to maintain scholarships along the way.