Mt. Spokane stalwart Chase Gyllenhammer goes the extra mile

A wry smile broke across Mt. Spokane athletic director Paul Kautzman’s face when the name Chase Gyllenhammer, a three-year football standout, was mentioned.

“He’s a character,” Kautzman said.

Kautzman went on to share that Gyllenhammer and some buddies often show up shirtless to root for the school’s volleyball team.

Dig a little further and look at Gyllenhammer’s Twitter account and there are some humorous revelations.

Friday morning, for example, Gyllenhammer tweeted: “Best place to watch game film definitely the bathroom where no one can disturb you.”

Sept. 14: “If you don’t save the marshmellows (sic) last when you have Lucky Charms or Marshmellow (sic) Mateys, I’m not sure if I can trust you.”

Last month: “I spend more time in the bathroom on my phone than actually going to the bathroom. #TweetFromTheToilet.”

Also last month: “Weekend well spent all by lonesome watching conspiracy shows and playing Madden.”

Longtime Mt. Spokane football coach Mike McLaughlin, in his final year as head coach in 2013, saw something special in Gyllenhammer, who then was a sophomore.

McLaughlin later said that Gyllenhammer was the best lineman he coached at Mt. Spokane, going back to the school’s first year in 1997.

That high praise hasn’t changed in the first two years under Terry Cloer.

“It means a lot that Coach McLaughlin said that,” Gyllenhammer said. “I mean, when you think about it, there have been a lot of guys (linemen) who have gone through here. It’s an honor.”

The Gyllenhammer name is well known in the Mead community. Chase’s mother, Lisa Stiles-Gyllenhammer, died of cancer when he was in second grade. Stiles-Gyllenhammer was a beloved teacher at Shiloh Hills Elementary. The Mead branch of the Boys and Girls Club of Spokane County, located in the old Mead Middle School, bears her name.

The 6-foot-2, 260-pound Gyllenhammer, a two-way starter this season at right guard and defensive tackle, was a first-team all-league lineman his sophomore year, the last season 4A and 3A teams were combined. He was also a first-team choice last year.

Mt. Spokane graduated 14 starters, and the prevailing thought was the Wildcats would struggle early to find an identity. They’ve fought through some injuries and have managed 3-0 start.

Their first test comes tonight when they meet 3-0 Gonzaga Prep at Albi Stadium.

Gyllenhammer, who carries a 3.5 grade-point average, is one of two season-long captains – an honor that’s voted on by his teammates. He doesn’t take it lightly.

The past two years, Gyllenhammer has led by example. Although not required, he has attended a “zero hour” weights class before school starts, directed by Cloer.

“It’s a way to get an extra workout,” Gyllenhammer said, indicating it was nothing special.

Cloer begs to differ.

“That’s the thing I really appreciate,” Cloer said. “He shows up every day and puts in the work. He’s the hardest-working kid on our team. He leads by example.”

Gyllenhammer plays guard because it’s a position that requires athleticism in Mt. Spokane’s offense. Frequently he pulls and must block defenders in space.

“With the things we do he fits that perfectly,” Cloer said.

Because he’s needed on both sides of the ball, Gyllenhammer rarely comes off the field.

That’s fine by him.

Asked which position he loves most, Gyllenhammer chose guard.

“Coach Cloer is going to hate me for saying that,” he said, noting Cloer spends his time coaching defense.

Gyllenhammer hopes to play in college. He’s received some interest from smaller schools but hopes to attract more interest this season. His lack of height means he’d probably end up playing at center.

“I think he could play in the Big Sky or Division II,” Cloer said.

Some of Gyllenhammer’s agility can be traced to his start in athletics when he played soccer.

He played the sport until he decided to try football in the fourth grade. Then he traded football for soccer again until he dropped soccer and returned to football in the sixth grade.

Gyllenhammer has been a key cog in two playoff berths including going to the semifinals last year. Despite the turnover, he believes Mt. Spokane can make a similar run this fall.

He wants to leave a mark at Mt. Spokane.

“What that would be is for the coaches to decide,” he said.

As the lone returning starter this year on offense, Gyllenhammer has helped coach up his line mates.

“You’ve got to take the kids under your wing, show them the ropes, make them better and make yourself better,” he said.