Sports : Former Viking Tranel hopes to help Wartburg reach new levels in D3 football

Gunner Tranel (42) and his Wartburg teammates have high goals as the 2015 season begins.

All of the experts who have looked at the Iowa Conference football schedule expect former V-S Viking leader Gunner Tranel and the rest of the Wartburg Knights to be in December of 2015 exactly where they were a year earlier, when they celebrated in the snow their team’s second straight Iowa Conference title. The Knights are also ranked 6th and 9th nationally in two pre-season Division III polls. Tranel, starting his second season as the Knight middle linebacker, along with senior quarterback Logan Schrader, earned pre-season All-American honors from Sporting News magazine.

But Tranel, a senior, says that despite great expectations, it’s time for the Knights to show what they can accomplish.

“Getting selected on one of the all American lists is a pretty cool award, but really it is based off last season. This is a new year and a new team that has yet to accomplish anything,” says Tranel.

Yet, he adds, “Our placement in the rankings does put a target on our back and teams every week will give us everything they have. But that's what is going to make this year fun – we cannot take any game for granted and have to improve each week to get to where we want to go.”

“I am really looking forward to this season,” said Tranel. “After having a great season last year, this team has a lot of expectations, but we are capable of reaching the goals we have set for ourselves.”

The Knights have 30 seniors on their roster, which will bring much leadership and experience, says the former Viking.

“My goal is to keep Wartburg on the national spotlight and help lead this team to a place we have never been before,” he says.

Last year, the Knights won all of their regular season games and made it to the “Elite 8” of the Division III play-offs, suffering a 37-33 loss to Wisconsin-Whitewater, the eventual D3 champion.

Tranel recorded 123 total tackles, tying him for the lead among Iowa conference players. The Knights open their 2015 campaign Saturday night with a home game vs. Augsburg college.

Earlier in his Wartburg career, Tranel played on special teams for the Knights, and was back up to All-American middle linebacker Ryan Billings. The son of Mike Tranel and Kathy Tranel, plans to graduate in may with a degree in business administration and fitness management. A certified instructor, he has also worked with Kettlebell Advantage in Vinton.

As a Viking, Tranel recorded 101 tackles over nine games during the 2011 season and earned All-State recognition.