Bernie Fratto

Speaking
of
Sports 

by
Bernie 
Fratto


Grappling with
Double-Trouble:

Where are they
now continues...

Ryan Churella Josh Churella

1-25-2005

The apple doesn’t fall from the tree… Josh and Ryan Churella were destined, perhaps, to be wrestlers. Their father Mark Churella was a four-year letter winner and three-time National Champion as a Michigan Wolverine in the ‘70s.

So it didn’t come as a surprise when Josh (Novi class of ’03) and his brother Ryan (Novi class of ’01) both garnered District, Regional and State Championships with the regularity of Ashlee Simpson appearing on a magazine cover.

Both had incredibly stellar careers as Novi Wildcats, and it was certain they would go on to compete at the college level.

But, to say they’re merely competing is a gross understatement. Interestingly enough they have both matriculated to the University of Michigan, and both Ryan and Josh are doing extremely well for the #4 Nationally Ranked Michigan Wolverine Wrestling Team.

Just last week against nationally ranked Penn State, Ryan, weighing in at 165, and Josh, weighing in at 141, both pinned their respective opponents, leading their squad to victory.

And they are no slouches in the classroom, either. Both are enrolled in the school of Kinesiology, which involves intense study in the principles of mechanics and anatomy in relation to human movement. So they are not only displaying great proficiency on the mat but with the books as well.

Ryan already has two varsity letters, and Josh will earn a varsity letter this season as a Redshirt Freshman. Both have accomplished a lot, and have bright futures ahead of them.

There is no telling where there efforts may lead? National Champions like their father? Why not? Or, on to the Olympics perhaps? Hey, if you can dream it you can do it…

But, I guess it doesn’t really matter for now. At present they are enjoying the college life, getting a great education, and excelling at a sport they love.

And for the rest of us, we get to say you’re from Novi!

It’s a match we can all cheer for.

(c) 2005 Novi Information Network
www.novi.org

___________________________________
Bernie Fratto
is a freelance writer, radio personality, and motivational speaker.  His passion for sports comes in part from his experience as a former Cincinnati Red farm- hand.  "Behind every sports story lies the hearts and minds of real human beings" said Fratto.  "These athletic endeavors often serve as a metaphor for the game we call life."

Bernie is also on the broadcast team at Live 97.1FM talk-radio, and is a frequent co-host on the popular "Parker & The Man Show," a nightly sportstalk show which airs Monday-Friday from 7-11pm.