Crestwood High School junior wrestling standout JP Wrobel recently became the next Red Devil in the 100-win club.
Special to Portage Sports

By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Celebrating milestones with his wrestlers never gets old for Crestwood High School wrestling coach David Wrobel.

Last week’s milestone had a little extra special feeling, though, as he watched his son JP reach the 100-win milestone in his junior season.

“I have witnessed JP’s hard work throughout high school, but I also had the luxury of watching him develop since the age of 5,” David Wrobel said. “He’s always been a hard worker — no matter if it was in the wrestling room during practice or competing in a tournament.”

Furthermore, Wrobel’s hard work filtered off the wrestling mat, too.

“He put a lot of time in the weight room and has spent many hours in our basement running on the treadmill or working on his technique with our wrestling dummy “Ivan,” Wrobel said.

 JP Wrobel, a two-time state qualifier, has found success through an aggressive and physical technique that he has worked to refine, with help from the Red Devils’ coaching staff, but also drill partners like Mason Daniels, Drake Renneker, Tristen Addis and Nolan Huntington.

“It has been fun to see JP’s development throughout the years, but it could not have been done without those drill partners,” Wrobel said.

From a coaching perspective, Wrobel said he remembers watching his son “turn the corner” as a sixth-grader.

“Ever since, his confidence and work ethic really took off,” he said. “He’s been extremely motivated since and is determined to reach his goal of getting on the podium in Columbus. He enjoys winning, but really hates to lose.”

Wrobel’s career started with him earning many points from his feet, but he has developed into a more well-rounded wrestler and now scores points from then mat, too.

And dad has a front-row seat to watch it all.

“There’s a lot of satisfaction watching one of your wrestlers hit a milestone, because you know a lot of hard work goes into it by the individual, his or her family, their workout partners, as well as the coaching staff,” Wrobel said.

“I guess you can say it’s extra special when it is your own son, because you have witnessed the dedication and sacrifices made on a personal level,” Wrobel said. “You have been along for the journey and witnessed the blood, sweat and tears that go into such an achievement.”