Grander stage

Griffins standout to embark on CIS chapter

This fall will mark a new gridrion and academic beginning for Greenall Griffins slotback Tanner Zaharia.

Tanner Zaharia

Positions:
Slotback, Wide Receiver, Running Back

Height/Weight:
6’1, 185 lbs

Teams:
Greenall Griffins (high school: RIFL)

Commitment:
Regina 

Class:
2015

Tanner has been playing for eight and a half years.  Since he first walked onto the field he has played for a couple of different programs, garnering multiple honours and recognition along the way.

He began his career playing in Regina Minor Football. After spending six seasons there, he moved up to play with the Greenall Griffins of the Regina Intercollegiate Football League (RIFL).

In 2013, Tanner was named Griffins Rookie of the Year. For two straight years, he has earned RIFL 3A Stewart Conference All-Star nods (2013, 2014).

“The highlight to me was off the field,” adds Tanner of this past season with the Griffins.  “As a team we became closer than I’ve ever been with any team I’ve ever played with.”

“Making new friends and becoming a family translates into success on the field. It showed this year for us.”

Looking back on that success, he a credits a few people for making a difference in his life.

“Definitely my parents, and my coaches for pushing me to succeed but especially one coach, Mark McConkey, he always pushes me to get to my very best because he knows that I can get better,” says Tanner.

During the offseason, he plays basketball to stay in peak physical condition and does what he can to stay that way. That includes eating right, working out everyday, and studying film to be as good as he can be when the time comes for him to take his game to the next level.

“I believe my biggest asset as an athlete is my lower body so my goal is to work on my upper body as well as keep my lower body in great shape during the offseason,” adds the Griffins standout.

Recently, Tanner committed to the University of Regina Rams.

“I chose the University of Regina for a couple reasons, one of them being that it is so close to home, so I can be with family and friends,” says Tanner. “Another is that I believe they are an up and coming team working hard to get to the top and I want to be a part of that.”

Looking forward, the slotback has future career and gridiron plans.

“Work hard and try to make the CFL,” says Tanner.  “I plan on going to the University of Regina to study business, and become a sports agent.”