Winona, Minn. - Beginning the week of Monday, July 13, the Winona State Athletic Department is proud to present the "Warrior Stories" series. Warrior Stories offers fans and followers of Winona State Athletics a view into the success that Winona State student-athletes have had as they move from their playing days and into the professional world. 
 
This edition of Warrior Stories features a former WSU baseball standout who put together an impressive Winona State career on and off the field, earning NSIC All-Academic honors on two occasions, moving on after graduation to dental school at Creighton University.  And then, he came back. 

Read on for the Warrior Story of Andrew Geislinger, a Grand Rapids, Minn. native who suited up for Winona State between 2013 and 2016. Geislinger appeared in 140 contests over his career, starting 131. He collected 25 doubles among his 118 hits, driving in 57 RBI's.  He scored 75 times for Winona State over his career while earning a .960 career fielding percentage in the middle of the Warrior infield. 

In the classroom, Geislinger earned even more impressive numbers; he was named NSIC All-Academic in 2015 and 2016, graduating with a degree in biology.  Upon graduation, he matriculated to Creighton University to pursue his Doctorate of Dentistry.

Geislinger and his wife, former Winona State All-American gymnast Stephanie (Wojton) Geislinger recently returned to Winona with newborn daughter Avery.  Dr. Geislinger joined the team at River Hills Dental in early July and the Geislinger family is quickly adjusting to life in Winona. 

Recently, we caught up with Geislinger to learn more about his Warrior Story. 

1) How has it been coming back to Winona to pursue your dental practice?  Was returning to Winona something planned, or more a matter of timing/opportunity?   
"Moving back to the Winona area has been an amazing opportunity for my wife and I. We both fell in love with the town, the people, and the outdoor activities that Winona offers while we were here for undergrad at WSU. The thought of coming back to Winona was always in the back of our minds but I do not think either of us really thought it would happen. We could not be happier that it did. We look forward to meeting new people and getting involved in the community."  

2) How did your academic training at WSU help you at Creighton?  
"I feel that the academic training I received at WSU did a great job to prepare me for my time at Creighton. I owe a lot to my coaches and professors that have helped me along the way." 

3) How did being a student-athlete at Winona State as an undergrad help you as you progressed through dental school?  
"Being a student-athlete at WSU came with a big-time commitment and the need be disciplined with my athletics and academics. The morning workouts, late nights of studying, balancing friendships/relationships, and being ready to compete at a high level has a way of helping you develop a different sense of preparation and determination. I would not trade those experiences for anything. Dental School is a very intense four-year journey and I know that the preparation and time management skills I developed at WSU made my time at Creighton much more enjoyable." 

4) What do you miss most about being a college baseball player? 
"I miss the pre-game butterflies during the national anthem, the feeling I would get after turning a double play, and the team camaraderie. What I miss most though were my teammates. I was fortunate to be teammates with some great baseball players, but even better people. It is tough to beat playing a game you love with some of your best buddies." 

5) What is your favorite baseball memory of your time at WSU? 
"Hitting a home run at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas." 

6)  Your online bio noted that your dad was a student-athlete at SCSU?  Was there any 'friendly' advice to look at SCSU? 
"There definitely was the initial push to look at SCSU, but my dad has always been a great support system for me and he was the first one to say go where it feels right. WSU was the best fit for me." 

7)  Your wife Stephanie (Wojton) was a gymnast at Winona State; so who was the better Warrior student-athlete?  
"Stephanie is the better athlete. She was an All-American on the floor her senior year and earned the WSU Female Student-Athlete of the Year in 2013. I really enjoyed watching her compete while we were at Winona State." 

8) How has COVID-19 affected/changed your day-to-day work?  What type of adjustments are needed or have been implemented by folks in your line of work? 
"COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the dental world. Some changes have been that we wear face shields in addition to face masks for most procedures, patients are required to get their temperature taken when they enter the office and answer COVID related questions. We also have our patients swish with mouthwash before their procedures." 

9) Anything else you would like to share with the Warrior faithful? 
"I am excited to be back in Winona with a new purpose and look forward to supporting Warrior Athletics for the years to come." 

For more on Winona State University athletics, be sure to check out  www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.