LSJ Male Athlete of the Year: Work ethic helped Portland's Brad Meyers excel in 3 sports

[ASFN Admin]

You must be registered for see images attach

The Portland football team found itself needing a big play to keep its playoff run alive last fall.

And Brad Meyers was ready for the moment.

So when Portland coach John Novara saw a Grand Rapids South Christian pass traveling through the air, it wasn't a surprise for him to see Meyers 30 yards down the field breaking up the play.

"He knew the route was coming and knocked the pass down and got the team the ball back," Novara reflected.

Smart, clutch plays like that helped make Meyers one of the top linebackers Novara has coached during his long tenure guiding the Raiders' football team. But it wasn't just football where he shined.

Meyers was also an elite wrestler in the winter and a key contributor in baseball in the spring for Portland. And because of that three-sport excellence, Meyers is the Lansing State Journal's Male Athlete of the Year.

Meyers earned all-state recognition in both football and wrestling and he'll continue his athletic career in wrestling at Grand Valley State.

"He's just an unassuming kid," Novara said. "I thought he was a college football player and I asked him if he was interested in playing college football. He said, 'Coach, I run a 5-flat 40 (yard dash) and I'm 5-foot-9. I think my career is going to be in wrestling.' I definitely think he had the ability to play college football. Whatever he sets his mind to he is going to get accomplished."

Meyers has already accomplished a lot.

He went into high school with the idea baseball was the sport for him, but that eventally changed.

"I was pretty good (at baseball)," Meyers said. "I wasn't a very big football player so I never really thought there would be options to go Division II or Division I. I didn't realize until after my sophomore year that I wanted to wrestle."

Finishing sixth at the state finals as a sophomore after not cracking the Raiders' lineup as a freshman inspired Meyers to put more of a focus on wrestling. And that paid off with Meyers ending his career going 54-0 as a senior and capturing a Division 2 state title at 190 pounds. He recorded more than 150 wins during his career.

You must be registered for see images attach

"It was kind of this beautiful progression as a coach you love to see," Portland wrestling coach Andy Pulling said. "He was getting closer and closer to what he wants, but again he was meeting his goals along the way. It wasn't as a freshman I'm going to be a state champion, it was wasn't as a sophomore I'm going to be a state champion. It was I just want to get better and be the best version of me.

"It wasn't him versus another wrestler or another football player. It was more just him (saying) let's see what I'm made of. With that attitude he went from a freshman not in the lineup to an undefeated state champion and going to be a collegiate wrestler in a tremendously competitive program at Grand Valley. As a coach that's such a beautiful process."

That process was also on display in football where Meyers ended his career as an all-state linebacker. He was a big part of a defense that had three shutouts and held eight opponents to seven points or less. Meyers credited his work ethic for aiding his athletic success. But that work ethic is also evident off the field.

"He's just a kid that did all the little things," Novara said. "We played him at fullback and he was mainly a blocking back for us but carried the ball successfully. (He is) just a kid that just works his tail off and does everything he can for the team and just is always helpful. He's a kid that will go out and do the little things and put away the equipment, move someone in the community and always the first to volunteer and always the first kid to step up when help is needed and just a complete team player."

Contact Brian Calloway at [email protected]. Follow him on X @brian_calloway and Bluesky @briancalloway.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: LSJ Male Athlete of the Year: Work ethic helped Portland's Brad Meyers excel in 3 sports

Continue reading...