Beyond The Mat with LG Senior Wrestlers: The Making of a Wrestler • The Making of a Man
We asked our senior wrestlers and their families to create a short story or biography of the challenges and tribulations they endured that shaped them
into becoming the senior wrestlers that they are today. We know that they are all tough and hard working, but what made them that way? Why did their
parents support them through gruelling season after grueling season of hard work, sweat, and blood to get to this point? Every wrestler has a story.
These are the stories of a few of the La Grande High School Senior Wrestlers...
Check throughout this program for their stories.
G ABE S HUKLE
J OEL R OGERS
Gabe started wrestling at the insistence of his father since he
had been a wrestler and loved the sport. The toughest moment
for him has been the sudden death of his father from a heart at-
tack when Gabe was 16. It happened during the summer before
his junior year in high school. The wrestling coach and a lot of
his teammates came to the house together when they heard the
news and one by one, gave Gabe, his sister and mom a hug and
offered support. This team is a family.
Gabe had to become the man of the house at a young age.
The skills that wrestling have given him- emotional toughness,
strength, perseverance and mental agility- have helped him to be
the man, athlete and scholar that he is today.
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Hi I’m Joel Rogers, I am six foot and six inches tall, two hundred and sixty five pounds. I wrestle
for on the La Grande High School Tigers. Here is something you may not have known about me.
When I was born I was missing a crucial nerve in the left side of my face. This has caused my
speech impediment and affected my depth perception. This has caused a lot of problems most peo-
ple don’t have when they play sports. Because of these issues it makes simple stuff like communica-
tion with my team challenging and makes it very difficult to see what’s going on with my opponent.
In seventh grade playing school basketball I suffered a catastrophic foot injury that ended up
putting me out of all physical activity for almost two years. After having surgery and getting a
permanent screw placed into my foot I was eventually able to get out and play sports again after a
lengthy recovery with physical therapy. During my downtime not only was I supporting my team
mates the entire time but also learning and preparing mentally for the time I was able to come back.
It’s been a very challenging road but in a way I’m thankful for these hardships because its made
me who I am.
Angela Erickson
Michael Stratton
Danielle Schaap
Family Insurance Agent
Life Insurance and Group Benefits
Family Insurance Agent
1611 Adams Ave • La Grande, OR 97850
541-963-7557 • www.stratton-insurance.com