Athletic Conference Wrestling Championships
Written By Dave Kich, ‘05
BEREA, OHIO -– The heart of a warrior and the will of a champion perfectly describes Baldwin-Wallace College senior 165-pound wrestler Joe Heiland (Shelby)
Heiland will enter this Saturday’s (Feb. 26, 2005) Ohio Athletic Conference Wrestling Tournament at Wilmington College with a modest 10-5 overall record, including a perfect 5-0 record in OAC matches this winter. Heiland’s biggest obstacle this season has not been his opponent standing across the mat. A lingering injury from last season cost Heiland the first 10 weeks of this season. But that will not stop him in his quest of both an OAC individual title and an NCAA Division III national title.
"I had an injury from last year that required surgery," said Heiland, who has a 72-23 career record and was an NCAA Division III National qualifier two years ago. "I had to have part of a rib and cartilage removed one week before the season started. I wanted to have the surgery so that I could be the best in my senior year and not have any regrets. I’d rather be 100 percent at the end of the season.
"Plus, I know the only way to be an All-American is to win an OAC title," said Heiland. "So I will be ready to go this weekend at Wilmington." Only the OAC champion at each of the 10 weight classes will qualify for the 2005 NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament next weekend (March 4-5) at St. Olaf, Minnesota College.
Unfortunately for Heiland, injuries have plagued him throughout his entire career at B-W. During his sophomore season in 2002-2003, Heiland won the OAC championship at 165 pounds and advanced to the NCAA Division III National Tournament. However, just when things looked brighter than ever, the injury bug put his dream of a national championship on hold.
"That season was my only healthy one (in 2002-2003)," said Heiland, who also missed his entire freshman season of 2000-2001 due to injury and received a medical red-shirt from the NCAA. "At the national tournament, I injured my ankle in the first 10 seconds of my first match.
"That year I wrestled the eventual national champ during the regular season and lost in double overtime," said Heiland, who continued the match at the nationals although visibly in pain. "I knew I was at a competitive, All-American level, but I just needed to stay healthy, and unfortunately that did not happen. I think that experience [competing at the national tournament with a severe injury] made me both a better person and wrestler."
After the red-shirt first year and another injury-plagued season in 2001-2002 in which Heiland had a 10-4 record, Heiland compiled a career-high 32-7 record in 2002-2003, won the OAC title at 165 pounds as well as titles at both the Rochester Institute of Technology (N.Y.) and B-W John Summa Memorial Tournament. Last year, Heiland was 18-6 overall but missed close to five weeks of competition with the rib injury and had just one week of practice prior to finishing All-OAC and as the runner-up at 165 pounds at the OAC tourney.
"That was tough," said Heiland of having just one week to prepare for the OAC tourney and another possible shot at his NCAA title dream. "I competed hard and it was a good, close match, but I lost. Being that close again has made me that much more focused to do well this year."
While the constant setbacks would be enough to cause the average wrestler to call it quits, the thought of quitting never crossed Heiland’s mind.
"When you want something so bad and injuries hold you back, it’s hard," said Heiland, who was the John Summa Most Valuable Wrestler at this year’s John Summa Memorial Tournament at B-W on Feb. 5. "Never, ever did I think of quitting. The reason I get injured is because I hate sitting out. I always want to battle and keep going even when I’m banged up. That is why I took the time to have the surgery this fall."
It is this type of tireless work ethic that Heiland’s teammates have noticed. Sterling Sebek, who wrestles in the 184 pound weight class, realizes that everyone on the team is fortunate to have a teammate like Heiland.
"Joe is the type of teammate that everyone wants but not everyone has," said Sebek. "He brings a certain level of intensity to practice every day. Joe approaches every practice with an intensity that a lot of guys don’t have. He betters himself and those around him."
In fact, Heiland left the impression of his work ethic and desire to succeed on the B-W coaching staff even before he arrived on campus. Assistant Coach Max DeLuca, who was a major factor in bringing Heiland to B-W, saw Heiland compete at the National High School Championships in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during his senior year.
"He lost his last match at the tournament, but was more concerned that he made mistakes instead of the fact that he lost," said DeLuca who was an OAC champion in wrestling and an All-American punter in football during his playing days. "Joe was aware that he needed to improve to win. That was impressive to me as a coach coming from an 18-year-old. He tries to improve on his strengths and weaknesses. He has had that same attitude throughout his career at B-W."
Heiland realizes that there is a big difference between high school and college wrestling.
"Every match that you wrestle at the collegiate level is like a state tournament match in high school," said Heiland. "There are no easy matches. It’s a lot more physical. The people who wrestle in college are much more serious about competing. Those who are not as serious tend to give up the sport."
Although the competition is tough, Heiland has been tougher. He was recognized this week (Monday, Feb. 21) as the OAC Wrestler of the Week for his victories against cross-town rivals John Carroll University and Case Western Reserve University. The latter was a thrilling double overtime victory in his final match at Ursprung Gymnasium. His OAC accolade marked the fourth straight year Heiland has been recognized as the OAC Wrestler of the Week.
B-W Head Wrestling Coach Rich Fleming is not surprised by the accolades.
"Joe has improved in all aspects of wrestling since coming to B-W and is a very hard worker", said Fleming, who was a Mid-American Conference wrestler as a collegian and has been the head coach of the Yellow Jackets for the past 17 years. "He has had to deal with numerous injuries, but he keeps coming back more determined each day. Joe has made me proud because he is dedicated, works hard, and cares about wrestling and his teammates. He is the type of young man that every coach wants on his team."
In addition to his prowess, attitude and competitiveness in wrestling, Heiland, a health and physical education major, places an even high importance on academics.
"Coach DeLuca had a huge influence on me coming to B-W to get an education and wrestle," said Heiland. "I felt it was a good school academically and that good job opportunities would exist following graduation.
"Coach DeLuca pointed out the good academic programs at B-W," said Heiland. "I definitely want to teach and coach someday, and since Coach DeLuca was on the same career path, I felt he would give me good advice and be a good mentor. He has been all of that and more. The B-W experience has been outstanding, and it is because of people like Coach Fleming and Coach DeLuca."
Whether Heiland is winning on the wrestling mat or succeeding in the classroom, DeLuca recognizes what gives Heiland the "edge" over his competition.
"His dedication and ability to lead by-example are the two things that make up his work ethic," said DeLuca. He is 100 percent focused on improving to reach his goals.
"Joe is willing to make the sacrifices necessary to meet his goals that the average college athlete wouldn’t," continued DeLuca. "He expects to be given nothing. His reward is having his hand raised at the end of a match. He also likes to see his teammates succeed as well, knowing that he helped them and pushed them to be better. We’ll miss that attitude and his leadership next year. It has been great having him as a member of our program the past five years."
While Heiland’s collegiate wrestling career will come to an end at the conclusion of this season, he is intent on leaving one lasting impression on the B-W wrestling program.
"It comes down to who wants it more when you step on the mat," said Heiland. "I want to be remembered as one of the greatest of all-time. I want my name to be associated with wrestling excellence at Baldwin-Wallace College. My main goal is to win the national title. I’ll be ready."
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