Wrestling with challenges: Three inspiring stories from the Big Ten

June 27, 11:01 AMCollege Wrestling ExaminerMark Palmer

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No doubt about it – wrestling is a tough sport. But there are stories of inspiration and uplift of individuals overcoming adversity… and of fellow wrestlers and fans stepping in to do more than their fair share to help. Here are three recent stories from the Big Ten conference that illustrate the true nature of college wrestling.

Badgers go to the mat for wounded Marine. Jake Janes, a 23-year-old Marine from Evansville, Wis., was serving over in Afghanistan this past spring and was 15 days from coming home when he suffered a traumatic injury after stepping on an IED (Improvised Explosive Device). The device exploded and severely injured Janes, forcing him to have both of his legs amputated below the knee.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison wrestling program is doing what it can to help. For the past three days (June 25-27), current and past Badgers have volunteered to help out with a wrestling camp at Evansville High School where Janes wrestled. Among those who have been giving their time and talent: Wisconsin head coach Barry Davis, three-time NCAA champ and world champion Lee Kemp, and current Badger matmen Kyle Ruschell, Travis Rutt, Tyler Graff, and Andrew Howe. To learn more, check out the official Wisconsin wrestling team blog.

Benefit for father of a Hawkeye. Paul Beatty, father of University of Iowa wrestler Chad Beatty, suffered a severe injury while trimming a tree seven years ago. The fall caused damage to his spine and left him paralyzed from the waist down. Paul's friends and his family are attempting to raise enough money to get him to Germany and have stem cell work done. This treatment could possibly enable him to walk again.

On August 15, 2009, there will be a fundraising event for Paul Beatty in Tipton, Iowa. Among the events: the H.A.W.K. 5K road race, numerous adult and kids games throughout the day, and a hog roast and live entertainment in the evening. Details on the Paul Beatty Benefit.

Iraq war vet returns to the mat for Minnesota. Matt Everson is finding that you can go home again… home being the University of Minnesota wrestling room. Even after being thousands of miles away, serving your country.

The Mitchell (South Dakota) Republic tells the story of a native son who, back in 2004, walked into the University of Minnesota wrestling room and straight onto a team that won back-to-back NCAA Division I national titles in 2001 and 2002. Following his sophomore season when he went 11-6 at 157 pounds, Everson was called to duty by the U.S. Army to serve his country in Iraq for a year and a half. Two weeks after returning to the United States, Everson walked back onto the mat at the Daktronics Open in Brookings during a November tournament.