Van Anrooy finds fit at Luther

Drew Van Anrooy was a high school state wrestling champion and valedictorian.

It should not be a surprised he wanted the best on the mat and in the classroom.

After three seasons wrestling at Oregon State University, he searched for a new home where studies and sports had equal emphasis.

'I wanted a little more balance with academics, athletics and social life,” said Van Anrooy, who transferred to Luther with his brother Reed. 'I really liked the atmosphere here at Luther. It felt like a good fit for both me and my brother.”

Van Anrooy has thrived with the Norse, qualifying for the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships, beginning Friday at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pa. Luther advanced seven wrestlers to the two-day event.

Van Anrooy is ranked second nationally with a 22-2 record, winning his last 20 matches.

'It's worked out great for me,” Van Anrooy said. 'I've had a great season so far. I want to finish strong and leave all out on the mat this Friday and Saturday.”

Luther Coach Dave Mitchell remembered filing through a stack of applications and coming across those of the Van Anrooy brothers. He was excited for the possibility, taking the proper channels to talk and sell them on Luther, which was one of the five finalists and three visits they made. They wanted to attend a smaller school in the Midwest, since their father, Mike, wrestled a couple seasons at Augustana (Ill.) College.

'It is perfect,” Mitchell said. 'Not only the level they have to wrestle, but the desires they have to be great students and prepare for their careers are exactly the kind that has excelled over the years at Luther.”

Reed Van Anrooy (11-4) has battled injuries at 157, becoming one of the Norse seven national qualifiers. The brothers have relied on one another as the adjusted to the new program.

'We wanted to go to a place together,” said Van Anrooy, who is a pre-med student. 'We didn't have to do that but we thought it would be easier if we did just to have that support system. It has worked great.

'We have a great wrestling community out here. It's been good.”

Athletics at the Division I level can be more like work than a job to some. Mitchell said Van Anrooy appears to be enjoying the sport again. He has gelled with his teammates.

'He's a great addition to our team,” Mitchell said. 'The guys like him a lot. He's loose and fun to be around.”

Mitchell said it didn't take Van Anrooy long to become receptive to the coaching staff. Van Anrooy admitted he needed time to 'get in the groove with the program” but has been satisfied with the coaches and training partners.

The lighter Van Anrooy has emerged as a leader outside of his wins.

'He's been a great leader,” Mitchell said. 'He's taken guys under his wing after practice and worked with them.

'When guys have a bad match or practice, he will pull them aside and talk to them a little bit or has them do a little extra work to build their confidence back up.”

Van Anrooy placed third at the Pac-12 Championships last season. He has plenty of skill, but his strength and competitiveness turns the mild-mannered student-athlete into an ornery brute on the mat.

'He's very talented,” Mitchell said. 'He's got a lot of toughness and great strength.

'He's big. He could wrestle 149 for us. He is very strong.”

Van Anrooy opens with Augsburg's Marcus Hamer (28-18). He is searching for a national title. Van Anrooy and Mitchell could be happy if that search ends as well as the one that brought him to Luther.

'I have to stay aggressive and on the attacks,” Van Anrooy said. 'I can't worry about the outcome. Just leave it all out there and giving my best effort.”

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