Injuries are part of athletics, but Lutheran Westland wr estlers Brian Deel and Alex Reardon have had more than their fair share.  Brian is a junior and Alex a sophomore, but both are looking forward to their first season as varsity wrestlers.

  Brian started wrestling in eighth grade.  He was fascinated by professional wrestling he saw on television and had friends that wanted to learn to wrestle.  The challenge the sport offered in terms of strength and conditioning got him hooked, but various football injuries and illness kept him on the sidelines his entire freshman and sophomore years.

 Now healthy, his goals for this year are to improve his overall athletic abilities and to help the Warriors win another team District Championship and maybe a return t rip to the team State Tournament.  By the time he graduates, Brian wants to be the best athlete he can be.  As he put it, “I want to know that all the hard work I put into this sport was worth it.”

  As for his post-high school career, Brian has two goals that are quite unique for a folkstyle wrestler.  He loves preparing and eating food, and plans to study culinary arts at Schoolcraft College.  He also plans to enroll in the Blue Collar Wrestling Academy as a means of launching a career in professional wrestling.

  Alex Reardon is the cousin of former Westland John Glenn heavyweight, Dustin Gajowiak.  It was Dustin’s success that prompted Alex to begin wrestling in ninth grade.  Unfortunately, Alex injured his shoulder in preseason practice and saw very little mat time.

  Alex’s goals are largely team oriented.  He wants to play a leadership role in bringing Warrior wrestling back to the days of qualifying for the team state tournament.  He hopes to take from the sport a sound sense of discipline and responsibility; and it would also be nice to wrestle in the individual state tournament before he finishes high school.

  Alex does not yet have firm career aspirations, but he definitely wants to pursue post-graduate studies; perhaps earning a PhD in Sociology, or an MD.  He thinks it would be great to wrestle in college, but needs to find out if he has the talent to be successful at the high school level first.

  Both wrestlers are devoted to their religion and wanted to attend school with friends who had similar beliefs.  Lutheran Westland provided the opportunity for excellent academics, a nice selection of athletic opportunities, and a close-knit community.  Brian summed it up nicely:  “Everyone looks out for you here - the teachers, coaches, administrators - you know they won’t let you fall through the cracks”.