PORTAGE, Wis. — During one of the last practices of the season for the Portage High School football team, captain Griffin Garrigan remarked on the number of players.
“We’ve only got a certain amount of guys that can play,” said Garrigan.
Most of his teammates play on both sides of the ball. It could be seen as a disadvantage or an opportunity for more playing time.
“As you can see here, this is our varsity team with about, I don’t know, 25, maybe 30 people. We don’t have the depth that most teams have. So we’ve got to go both ways. If you need a sub, just fight through it,” explained Garrigan.
Garrigan plays running back on offense. On defense, he earned second team all-conference recognition at defensive back as a junior. As a senior, coaches asked him to cover the opponent’s best wide receiver.
“I look forward to it. That means they trust me a lot. I like that they put me in that spot,” said Garrigan.
Portage Athletic Director Ed Carlson said Garrigan, a three-sport athlete, simply “does everything.”
“I think one of the things that makes Griffin so special is just his unselfishness,” explained Carlson. “I’ve had the pleasure of watching him through all his teams, and on all of them, he’s willing to serve in whatever role is asked.”
In basketball, Garrigan said he doesn’t score a lot of points. He earns his playing time with defense and hustle. Coach Darrin Berger appreciates Garrigan for more than what he brings to the court.
“It’s one thing to be a good athlete and a good student, but I appreciate the way he treats people. And the kind of person he is, the kind of kid he is. It’s nice to see. It’s good for our building and our school,” said Berger.
As for his favorite sport?
“I would say whatever is in the season, but mostly, I think baseball. Ever since I was young, it’s always been baseball,” said Garrigan.
The shortstop and pitcher enjoys playing outside in warm weather and tipped his cap to his older brother for inspiring his love of the game.
While he stays active with athletics, Garrigan puts as much effort into the classroom as his sports.
The straight-A student is a member of the German National Honor Society.
"You don’t have to tell him what to do," said teacher Michelle Doherty. “I rarely think of him as Griffin. His name is Gustav when he’s in German class.”
He hasn’t picked his college yet, but Garrigan thinks he’ll pursue a business career. Doherty can think of another opportunity.
“I could see him working with kids at any level. He can relate," said Doherty. "He gives his all to everything that he does. He doesn't go about anything, just half-level. He is always both feet in. And if he's not quite there, he'll work to get there.”
On top of all of this, he also served as a youth mentor on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic.
“It was really impactful to see kids that were way less fortunate than me living in way less but still happy," said Garrigan.
His group helped give eyeglasses for the first time to children and adults.
“Some people had seen blurry their whole life, never seen what their cities look like. We put glasses on them, and they'd be able to look around and just see what truly they've been missing," said Garrigan.
Wherever he goes, Garrigan has demonstrated the drive to succeed and the desire to help make people better around him.