Grays Harbor native, Mike Bruner will be entering his fifth season at the helm of the GHC Baseball program. Under Bruner, the Chokers have rebuilt the program’s culture and have improved each season to become a competitive, playoff caliber contender. During his tenure, the Chokers have also began moving several players, each year, to the four-year, college baseball level. Before Covid-19 ended the 2020 season, the Choker Baseball team had posted victories against top tier NWAC teams and were poised to make a run at the NWAC playoffs.
Prior to accepting the job as the Choker skipper to begin the rebuilding process in 2017, Bruner had a successful nine year run as the Head Baseball Coach at his alma-mater, Montesano High School. During that time, the Bulldogs were 160-49. They made eight District Playoff appearances; Won five league titles; Advanced from the District Playoffs to the Sweet 16 Regional Round of the State Championships six times; Tied for 5th in State 2 times; Won a Regional Championship; and finished State Champ Runner-ups in 2013. While Coach Bruner lead Montesano’s program, they also sent over 20 players into the college Baseball ranks, including two D1 players and a MLB Draft Pick, Layne Bruner, who is the son of Coach Bruner.
As a player, Bruner was a 3-year varsity starter and standout at Montesano High School, as a RHP/1st Baseman. Graduating from high school in 1986, Bruner went on to play college Baseball, as a two way player, making the transition to an Outfielder/RHP.
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The foundation of Bruner’s program is a positive, player’s culture based on the intentional core-values of Unity, Trust, Mental-Toughness, Work-Ethic, Discipline, Selflessness, and Focus, with an emphasis on the baseball skill and human development of players. The goals of the Choker Baseball program are to: Compete for NWAC Championships; Move players on to 4-year college Baseball programs; Facilitate and encourage academic achievement; and teach life skills through Baseball.
Bruner is married to his wife of 17 years, Alysha, and has four children: Brayton, Layne, Merryn and Mylan.
