According to head wrestling coach Barry Davis, the “dark side” is the place where an athlete pushes his body past the point where he believes his limits end. Throughout his wrestling career, Brady Reinke has often entered the dark side. This work ethic has not only helped Reinke become a better wrestler but has helped him achieve goals in other areas of his life as well.
Reinke’s aggressive training routine has led to health problems, but he has never wavered in his commitment to the sport. He had some concussion problems earlier in the year but has bounced back to have an impressive season thus far.
“I couldn’t do much for a month,” Reinke said of the concussion.
Since returning, he has posted a record of 11-0 overall while going 5-0 in the Big Ten. On his way to compiling an undefeated mark, he took first place at the Dan Gable Open in Oshkosh, Wis., and defeated Paul Bradley of Iowa, who was then ranked No. 2 in the nation in Reinke’s weight class.
“It was a big match, especially coming off that injury,” Reinke said. “Any time you beat a second-ranked wrestler it is a big step.”
However, Reinke did not classify himself as an underdog. Instead, he used the hype surrounding his opponent to his advantage.
“To me it is not an upset because I beat him last year, too,” Reinke said.
Reinke contributes a lot of his success to his “faith in God” and encouragement from his family.
Reinke also drew motivation from his twin sister’s struggle with cancer. Reinke’s sister was diagnosed in high school and has since recovered.
“Watching her battle [cancer] was really inspirational to me,” Reinke said. “The fact that she beat it puts things in perspective.”
The lessons he learned from his father, who was his high school wrestling coach as well, have also played a key role in his accomplishments on the mat this season. “Work before play” was a lesson Reinke’s dad often stressed. Just observing how his father handled himself has made Reinke a better wrestler.
“He could fall in a pile of cow crap and come out smelling like a rose,” Reinke said of his father. “He taught me the value of hard work.”
Taking his father’s lead, Reinke has worked on his technique throughout his 20 years of wrestling. Over the years he has developed a go-to takedown move. Reinke’s favorite move is a head outside single leg that he finishes off with a double leg.
“I’ve hit it so many times I dream about it,” Reinke said.
Reinke’s success this season has not been limited to the mat. He currently works as a student teacher for a kindergarten class and plans to get married this July.
Luckily for Reinke, his fiancée, Betsy Lucas, was a former Badger rower, so she understands the time commitment it takes to be student athlete.
“She doesn’t give me a bunch of crap if I have to skip out on a date,” Reinke said. “She’ll even come up and work out with me when nobody else wants to.”
Unfortunately, wrestling cuts into the amount of time they can spend with each other, but by exercising together they have found a unique way to circumvent this problem. Though teammates have mocked the practice, Reinke and Lucas are not concerned.
“A lot of guys give me crap about bringing [Betsy] up for a romantic night of riding the Air Dyne and lifting weights,” Reinke said.
As far as the rest of the season is concerned, the goals of Reinke and the Badgers are lofty. For Reinke, a national championship may be within reach. Although not entirely prepared coming off the injury, Reinke feels his chances are good.
“I’m not quite where I need to be yet,” Reinke said. “I truly believe I can win a national championship this year.”
Wisconsin as a team welcomed in a very strong freshman recruiting class this year. Many of the young grapplers are already making contributions, and Reinke anticipates big things for the Badgers this season and in the future.
“The freshmen were the No. 1 recruiting class in the country,” Reinke said. “Some of these freshmen are ready to step in right away and challenge some of the older guys. Every day we talk about what we need to do to win a national championship. I want to be a part of the dynasty that we are trying to build here at Wisconsin.”