With family history hanging in the balance, Bartlett freshman Cameron Engels came up with the ultimate assist.
He took over the filming of his older sister Emma’s victory in the 100-pound championship match last March at the girls wrestling state meet in Bloomington.
“My mom was so nervous and the camera was shaking so much, she told me I had to do it,” Cameron said. “It was such an exciting moment.
“Watching her work really hard throughout the season and finally getting down there and seeing it pay off was fantastic.”
Last season as a sophomore, Emma Engels avenged her only loss against a female opponent in beating Oak Forest’s Alexandra Sebek 4-0 for the state championship title.
Emma went a combined 37-12 wrestling against male and female competition. She finished 26-11 against boys at 106 pounds.
This season, she has picked up where she left off, going 21-1 against girls while toggling between 110 and 115. She continues to hold her own against the boys, wrestling at 113.
No longer her chronicler, Cameron is her training partner and teammate.
He is 23-7 wrestling at 126. He finished third in Saturday’s Chris Chappell Invite at Glenbard West.
He also was the original impetus to get involved with the sport.
“I was in the fourth grade, and he started a year before I did,” Emma said of Cameron. “Growing up we always played a bunch of different sports like softball and soccer. I was around him and I watched him.
“I thought it was something I should try.”
The siblings have a special bond.
“She is definitely more outgoing and energetic when we’re at home,” Cameron said. “She always wants to do something on her feet. After a long practice, my attitude is just wanting to take a break.”
Their nature is shared and unmistakably intertwined.
“Whatever it is, baseball, softball, wrestling, they’re competitors,” Bartlett coach John Glorioso said. “They’re both introverted about their competitiveness.
“It won’t show up, but they both really care about winning.”
While Emma is ruthless, Cameron is precocious.
“Emma’s work ethic is what sets her apart,” Glorioso said. “She shows up early and leaves late. She coaches our girls youth club.
“Cameron is very mature as a freshman. He is also really strong. He has been wrestling for a long time and he already knows what he’s doing.”
Emma is also a standout middle infielder on the softball team. The exacting and individualized nature of wrestling, however, has a natural and elemental appeal.
“I enjoy how you don’t have anyone else to blame if something goes wrong,” she said. “Everything is in your control.
“My brother supports me. It’s nice to also have a team there. If you do something wrong, you know they’re going to have your back.”
The straightforward, direct engagement also influenced Cameron’s entry into wrestling.
“I played a lot of team sports when I was younger,” he said. “When I started wrestling, I really liked how individual it was and how everything was on me.
“I worked hard in practice and was able to transfer that out on the mat, where it’s just me. Nobody else is going to help me if I mess up. I have to go out there and do what I have to do.”
Where Emma is the trendsetter and path blazer, Cameron meanwhile is still making a name for himself. That amplifies the enjoyment and pride.
“My proudest moment is getting to see all of my hard work pay off — for my coaches, my brother and my parents,” Emma said. “They’re very proud of me for doing so well.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
