New Kids on the Block: Garden City

BY CHARLES ROTHWELL
Jan. 24, 2010, 12:50 p.m.

    D.J. Giese is the son of Garden City's new head coach, Don Giese. Although his father was a wrestler, it was his uncle who introduced him  and his cousin to wrestling when D.J. was six.

  After a few years with the Dexter youth program, D.J. went to Brighton to wrestle and a couple years later he joined the Garden City Mat Dragons.

  Now as a freshman 171-pounder at Garden City High School, Giese has discovered that going up against older, stronger wrestlers is quite challenging. His goals for this year are to make it out of individual districts and to increase his strength. By the time he graduates, D.J. wants to win at least one state championship.

  D.J. definitely plans to go to college, but has not decided what area he wants to major in. Current thoughts are law enforcement or computer engineering. He would love to win a wrestling scholarship and wrestle in college if the opportunity arises.


  Zack Brock was convinced to join the wrestling team by D.J. and other friends. Zach had no previous wrestling experience, and in fact, had never participated on any organized sport team. As a freshman novice, smallish heavyweight Zach has been overmatched by quite a few of his opponents, yet he has hung in there and continued to improve.

  Against kids his own age and experience level Zack has done quite well, recently winning the Garden City Novice tournament.

  Brock would like to make it out of districts this season and place top four in the state by his junior year. He wants to attend college and would love to wrestle in college if the opportunity arises.