Cherokee Nation citizen Tanner Dearman, sitting in center, is accompanied by his family, high school baseball coach and high school principal and athletic director while signing to play baseball with the Wichita State University Shockers. COURTESY PHOTO




BY TODD CROW
Reporter

ANADARKO, Okla. – Cherokee Nation citizen and Anadarko High School senior Tanner Dearman recently signed a commitment to play baseball for perennial powerhouse Wichita State University.

Dearman said the WSU coaching staff told him to “live it up,” because only 1 percent of high school baseball players in the nation sign with a NCAA Division I school. 

Dearman said signing with WSU was special and that the coaches were impressed with skills.

“When they started recruiting me, they told me I was the total package. I can hit. I can run. I have a good arm, and I can field,” he said. “I’m a five-tool player, and I think that really helped me, especially with my speed. I ran a 6.5 (second) 60 (yard dash), which they said was the fastest they’d seen all summer.”

A senior shortstop, Dearman is helping lead the fourth-ranked Anadarko Warriors to what he hopes will be their first state championship in more than 30 years. Heading into the area tournament, he was hitting .452 with 39 runs scored, 31 stolen bases and 23 RBI.

“We’re all focused on winning a state championship for Anadarko,” he said. “We haven’t won one in 30-plus years here in baseball, and it’d be really special if, for the senior class that are here right now, to go out and win one for the town and community of Anadarko.”

Some of Dearman’s previous baseball accomplishments include helping AHS to the Class 4A state semifinals in 2011 and being named All-State Honorable Mention for the same year. 

Dearman was also a member of AHS’ 2011 Class 3A state championship football team and received the District 3A-1 Secondary Player of the Year award. He also has a 3.7 grade point average.

Dearman’s father Tony, who is superintendent at Riverside Indian School in Anadarko and a former Sequoyah High School administrator and baseball coach, said he’s proud of his son’s accomplishments. 

“It’s so rewarding to see that all of his time and commitment that he has put into baseball and the classroom is giving him the opportunity to play at Wichita State University,” Tony said. 

todd-crow@cherokee.org

918-207-3961