Gig Harbor’s Batanian, a man of many hats, headed to Mat Classic

Gig Harbor High senior Max Batanian wears many hats. He wrestles. He also plays drums for the school band, is an Eagle Scout, plays football and lacrosse, and carries close to a 4.0 grade point average.

He’s the sort of kid that’s a breeze for Gig Harbor wrestling coach Leonard Spadoni to mentor.

“He’s been a very easy kid to coach,” Spadoni said. “He does exactly what you ask, when you ask it. He’s an Eagle Scout so his whole life is doing all the parts and pieces. He’s a good kid. I wish everyone believed in themselves as much as he does.”

Batanian won an individual title in the 170-pound weight class at the Narrows 4A wrestling championships two weeks ago. He took second in regionals over the weekend to advance to Mat Classic XXVIII at the Tacoma Dome.

Most football players aren’t in the band. Batanian is an exception.

“I love music,” he said. “I’m one of the only people that played football and was in the band. There’s a select few of us. It’s kind of a hard thing to do. I love playing music. I have a lot of friends in the band.”

Batanian also played drums outside of school, contributing to former Gig Harbor cross country star Wolfgang Beck’s orchestral project, Arletta Sound. All in all, about 20 students contributed to the jazz orchestra, which played some coffee shop gigs and small venues.

Whether he’s playing jazz numbers, the school’s fight song or an alternative rock song on the drums, Batanian is always having a good time.

“Any type of music is good for me,” he said. “I love playing in the symphony. I like alternative music and rock. It’s a great hobby — I love doing it.”

Playing in the band has created a few scheduling conflicts with the wrestling team, but Spadoni is more than happy to accommodate.

“Our wrestlers tend to be high achievers,” Spadoni said. “I had one kid who was in the debate club and did robotics. We usually get kids with high grade point averages.”

On the wrestling mat, Batanian is conservative and disciplined.

“But when he gets his opening, he takes it quickly and goes with it,” Spadoni said.

Spadoni is hoping Batanian can finish in the top four at Mat Classic. For Batanian, he just wants to give it his all.

“I just want to leave it all out on the mat,” he said. “I don’t want to say I failed. I just want to leave something to be remembered by.”

This story was originally published February 17, 2016 at 12:02 PM with the headline "Gig Harbor’s Batanian, a man of many hats, headed to Mat Classic."