Oswego East Student Athlete of the Week-Evan Brauer

Senior Evan Brauer has built a reputation as an empathetic, compassionate, intelligent person who selflessly gives his time to help others. His general demeanor is that of someone who is relatively quiet, calculated, but self-assured. However, once Evan steps on the wrestling map, the tenacious and driven-side of his personality shine through, which is why he is this week's Oswego East student-athlete of the week.

Evan started competing in wrestling while at Bednarcik Junior High, as well as for three years for the Oswego Wrestling Club. Entering Oswego East as a freshman, Evan had built up enough experience and knowledge to earn a spot on the varsity as a freshman.

"Wrestling has taught Evan hard work and dedication, and has given him the mindset that he can accomplish anything in life," says Evan's father, Dave Brauer. Evan's mother, Elisa Brauer, has witnessed how the coaches and program at Oswego East have helped shape Evan into the wrestler he is today, saying, "Being part of the OE wrestling team has helped Evan learn how to work hard, and through the commitment he has to the team, he has learned that if you show up for practice every day and put forth your maximum effort, you can achieve your goals."

Head wrestling Coach Paul Coy attributes Evan's maturation, both physically and mentally, to Evan's relentless pursuit of improving himself. "Evan has grown throughout his wrestling career to be a leader in the wrestling room," says Paul. He goes on to add, "His work ethic in our room sets the tone for others. He is an example for the varsity team and lower level wrestlers in the practice room. He always leads the team in all of our runs, drills, and wrestling."

Those leadership qualities have helped Evan get out to an 8-0 record, which includes a first-place finish in the 132 lb. weight division at the Conant Tournament earlier this year. Evan's success also landed him a spot as an honorable mention among the Illinois state wrestling rankings in the 132 lb. weight class. Evan's stated goal is to qualify for the state tournament, a feat that has alluded him the past 3 seasons.

Evan's leadership and selfless attitude stretch beyond the mat and into his personal life. "Evan gives back to the sport by helping train younger athletes in the Oswego Wrestling Club during the evenings after his high school practice," says Dave.

Evan's mother Elisa adds to those comments, saying, "Anyone who knows Evan well has experienced how thoughtful, caring and sensitive he is as a person. Evan has spent time on mission trips with his church the last 2 summers helping to build a house for the less fortunate, and is always the first to ask if we need help around the house or running errands."

An AP Scholar, Evan's favorite class is Calculus, a subject that challenges his analytical thought process to excel. John Paul Shore, Evan's Calculus teacher, sees a lot of the same characteristics that have made Evan so successful both on the mat and his life play out in the classroom. "Evan is bright, inquisitive, as well as a very even-keeled person-things never seem to frazzle him or make him anxious," says John Paul.

Evan's interest post-high school lie in aviation, something his father Dave says has already been a lifelong interest. "Evan has always been interested in flying and planes, asking in second grade, why the airplanes flying have so much "smoke" behind them," says Dave. He adds, "As a young child Mr. Patton would take Evan flying in his airplane, taking trips to other surrounding states and local airports to have breakfast, as well as around the city of Chicago to look at the city from above."

Evan's love for aviation has him aspiring to one day become a pilot, and he has been accepted in several aviation programs for the fall of 2020, including Embry Riddle, the top flight school in the country. The opportunity to wrestle in college will also factor into wherever Evan chooses to study.

The selfless work-ethic and humble way Evan approaches wrestling, school, and his life has turned him into a leader other Wolves can look up to. When asked what advice he would give to future Wolves, Evan kept it very simple, stating, "Do your homework." Evan's attention to detail and willingness to go above and beyond will hopefully help him reach his personal goal of an opportunity to wrestle downstate, and it will no doubt play an important factor in his success as a pilot.