By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
During his time at Plainwell High School, 2025 graduate Adin Young could be found on the football field in the fall, on the wrestling mats in the winter and on the track in the spring.
And while he enjoyed each of the sports in which he participated, one stood out above the rest.
“My favorite sport is wrestling,” he said. “I like it so much because it built my character and personality into the wonderful man I am today.”
Young had his share of success on the mats.
As a junior, he helped Plainwell advance to the Division 2 team state semifinals at Wings Arena in Kalamazoo. A few weeks after that, he placed third in the 285-pound weight class at the Division 2 individual state finals at Ford Field.
It was that third-place showing that ranks as one of his favorite memories from his athletic career at Plainwell, as he called it “my proudest moment.”
“I also have some great memories of amazing laughs with my friends and coaches that I’ll always remember,” he said.
For his performance in wrestling and his other sports, Young received the coveted Streidl Senior Athlete of the Year Award.
Named in honor of legendary Plainwell coach Jack Streidl—for whom the football stadium is also named—the award is a meaningful one for its recipients.
“It’s really one of the greatest accomplishment that I have so far in my life,” Young said of being selected for the Streidl Award. “It’s something that I will be proud of until the end of my days.”
While he ended up thoroughly enjoying his time participating in athletics, Young said is initial foray into sports wasn’t necessarily his choice.
Rather, he received some encouragement from his dad.
“My dad forced me to do wrestling when I was four,” he said.
It didn’t take long for Young to realize that he had a passion for that sport and sports in general, both for the competition and for the connections he made along the way.
“I really enjoy all the amazing friendships I’ve made through the years because of my involvement in sports,” he said.
Young picked up football in seventh grade, and added track to his resume in high school.
“Sports taught me a lot,” he said. “For example, I learned how to be respectful, responsible and disciplined.”
Someone who helped Young learn those lessons was Luke Rizzo, his youth wrestling coach.
“Coach Rizzo helped me develop the mentality of just keep going no matter what. He really helped me with my resilience.”
In addition to sports, Young was also active in Peer Assistant Listeners (PALs), Links, Multicultural Club and Student Athletic Leadership Team (SALT). He was also vice president of the Plainwell chapter of the National Honor Society.
“It was a great honor attend Plainwell High School, to represent Plainwell and to bring pride to my favorite home,” he said. “I would love to do it all again.”
With his career at Plainwell High School now behind him, Young is looking forward to attending Western Michigan University. He plans to study paper engineering along with wrestling on the school’s club team.
“I’d like to help make wrestling into an actual competitive team,” he said.
Young also has some words of advice for the younger generation of student-athletes.
“I would just like to tell them to stay humble and to do everything that you can,” he said.
