Harper family gets another special moment at Al Smith Classic

MISHAWAKA — Wesley and Brady Harper knew they’d only have one year to wrestle together in high school.

They’re making the most of it so far.

The brothers — Wesley a senior, Brady a freshman — competed in championship matches at the prestigious Al Smith Classic Wrestling Invitational Saturday. Both finished runner-up, with Wesley at 150 pounds and Brady 113.

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“We had a soccer season together — (Brady) made varsity, so we were both on varsity,” Wesley recalled. “Once the season ended, he went, ‘You know what? We get to wrestle together, too.’ It’s just cool being able to share these experiences with your brother. Both being in the finals, too, at this event — it just can’t get better than that.”

Wrestling is in the Harper family blood. Wesley and Brady’s dad, Chad, was a standout wrestler at Mishawaka High School, winning back-to-back 152-pound titles at the Al Smith Classic in 1992 and 1993.

Chad’s younger brother, Brad, won a state title in the same weight class in 1998. He also won a couple Al Smith titles in his own right, at 145 pounds in 1996 and 152 in 1997.

Brad is now in the position to coach both his nephews, with this being his 16th season leading the Penn program. He, like Wesley and Brady, knew this would be the lone year all three were able to be together at the high school level. Brad is making sure to not lose perspective of that.

“I’ve learned it's not all about the wins and losses, but about enjoying the moments with your wrestlers, and obviously with them being my nephews, it makes it more special,” Brad said. “I try to surround myself with good people. I love being around my wrestlers, my nephews, my coaches. That’s what it’s really about. We always say we’re family, and that’s what we try to remind everyone about.”

Both younger Harper wrestlers are off to strong starts this year. Brady is now 22-2 and Wesley 19-1 after their performances at the Al Smith tournament, with both being ranked in the top 10 in the state of their respective weight classes by the website Indiana Mat.

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Brady won his semifinal match first Saturday, putting the pressure on Wesley to follow suit.

“I was like, ‘Now I can’t lose,’” Wesley said. “I can’t not be in the finals and have my little brother show me up.”

Both brothers are finding success this year despite different wrestling styles, as Brady explained.

“He and I are two completely different wrestlers,” Brady said. “I like to get points, and he likes to win close matches. It’s always nerve-wracking watching him.”

Wesley is a proud older brother watching Brady perform the way he has so far.

“I’m astonished for him,” Wesley said. “For a freshman to come in here and even make it to the finals, that’s wild. It’s something I wouldn’t have done, so big props to him.”

Even at 14 years old, Brady knows the magnitude of his family’s wrestling lineage. He doesn’t try to think about it too much, though, as he and his brother look to make deep state tournament runs together in February.

“There is a lot of pressure with the last name Harper,” Brady said. “A lot of kids want to take shots at us just because of our last name. We have such high expectations, me and my brother, but I just try to push that away and wrestle how I wrestle.”

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Harper family gets another special moment at Al Smith Classic