With his 141st victory last week, Reading senior D.J. Engel broke the school's wrestling career win mark. But Engel's not one to blow his own horn.

        “Things changed when we started wrestling more tournaments,” said Engel, who's competing at 140 pounds this year. "We wrestle a lot more matches now.”

        However, the record has one special reward. His brother, Dick, owned it.

D.J. Engel (right) practices with teammate Tim Kelly. (Craig Ruttle photo) | ZOOM |

        “We fight over anything we play together,” D.J. said. “But Dick said the record was made to be broken.”

        Breaking records has become a family tradition. The boys' father, Dick Engel, Sr. has more reason to be proud. He's their coach, too.

        D.J. finished third in last season's state meet. Dick was a 189-pound state champ in 1997, finishing runner-up the next season. And Dad finished second for Reading in the 1973 state meet.

        “I never forced the kids to wrestle. They were always around it and liked it,” the coach said. “But, yeah, I'm real proud of them.”

        Pride is a touchstone notion for Reading wrestlers. The Division III program has a reputation for fearlessness.

        “It means a lot to wrestle at Reading,” said Tim Kelly, D.J.'s 152-pound teammate. “We see such a good tradition and don't want to let it down.”

        Since coach Engel took over at Reading, the Blue Devils have produced nine 100-win wrestlers. Kelly, a long-time friend of D.J.'s, has a shot of passing Dick Engel, too, and taking the No.2 spot in career victories.

        “That would be cool, for D.J. and me to be one and two,” Kelly said.

        Like a number of small programs, Reading can have difficulty fielding the full 14-member team.

        Getting 20 students out for the team can be a good number, the coach said. But, he thinks he gets Reading's best.

        “I'd rather have seven or eight hard-working guys than a whole bunch who won't do what needs to be done,” he said.

        Perhaps after this season, D.J. Engel will take more pride in his achievements. Right now, like his teammates, he's focusing on a state title. Winning that will make state-class wrestling like father, like sons.

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