Family tradition strong in Chadron

In 2013, Tanner Wintholz closed his high school athletic career at Sidney High School and accepted the challenges of football and academics at Chadron State College.

He graduated from Sidney High School as a 6'2" 215-lb defensive lineman. As a senior at Chadron, he is bulked up to 295 lbs.

At Sidney High School, he was an all-state lineman for the Red Raiders. He was also an all-state wrestler, placing third in the 195-lb class.

In his first year at Chadron, 2014, he appeared in every game with Chadron State. He is credited with 15 tackles including a career-high four against Idaho State University, and 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack.

In his sophomore year, he appeared in all 11 games. He started two as nose guard and recorded a total of 27 tackles, four that resulted in losses, and had solo sacks against Missouri S & T and Western New Mexico.

Last season, his junior year at Chadron State, he competed in 10 of 11 games. He recorded 17 tackles with 1.5 for a loss, a sack, a recovered fumble and a quarterback hurry. This season he is expected to provide experience as a returning senior and specifically to the nose guard position.

In January of this year, Chadron State College Athletics announced Tyler Wintholz as one of four transfers joining the football team. Tyler is the third of three brothers to commit to Chadron. His middle brother, Tucker, played for

He transferred to Chadron from Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln. Wintholz came to Chadron 6'4" 220 lbs. He caught 61 passes for 1,014 yards as a junior and senior at Sidney. Chadron head football coach Jay Long said Chadron sought Tyler Wintholz from high school. However, he wanted to play basketball first and attended Nebraska Wesleyan University. He transferred to Chadron after one semester.

Tanner and Tyler play opposite sides of the line with Tanner as nose guard and defensive lineman, and Tyler as tight end. Tanner is in his fifth year at Chadron. Long says Tanner has done a terrific job for the Chadron football program.

"He's got an outstanding work ethic," he said.

Tanner is the first of three in the recent generation to be part of the Chadron State College athletic program; recent generation because their parents also attended Chadron State and participated in athletics, according to head football coach Jay Long.

"They (Tanner, Tucker and Tyler) came from a great family," Long said.

He commended the family for their support of CSC athletics and their participation when attending Chadron.