Striggle Relentless On, Off The Field
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Dale [email protected]
"I think relentless would be a good word," said Striggle. "I never quit."
That's how Striggle, this year's Times-Union Area Defensive Player of the Year, lives his life – both on and off the football field.
A 6-foot-5, 200-pound defensive end, Striggle was second on Whitko's team in tackles this season with 50.
He led the Wildcats with 14.5 tackles for loss, including a team-high 11.5 sacks.
Under the bright lights on Friday nights, Striggle makes taking down an opposing ball carrier look easy.
It's off the field that Striggle has faced his toughest opponents.
As a sophomore, Striggle was involved in a serious auto accident. His brother, Jarrod Lewis, was airlifted from the scene.
A starter on both the offensive and defensive lines, Striggle's season was over after seven games.
As a junior, Striggle made it through just two games, and things took a turn for the worse again.
"My junior year, I came back strong and things were going great," said Striggle. "We beat Wawasee 20-0 in the first game of the season and every one was excited. I had a couple sacks and a blocked punt in that game, and it was great to be back. In the second game, we got beat by Columbia City, and then I was getting ready for practice that following Monday and I couldn't get my cleat on."
Striggle said his leg and his foot were so swollen he couldn't get his cleat on, and he didn't know why.
Nobody did.
Striggle said in a recent phone conversation he was in a Fort Wayne hospital for 11 days, and nobody could tell him what was wrong.
"It was a long 11 days," said Striggle. "They ran test after test, and nobody knew what was wrong."
Finally, Striggle found out he had a Giant Cell Tumor in his leg, something Striggle said "only 1 in a million people get."
Once a month he goes to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for treatment.
"The things I've been through have taught me a lot," said Striggle. "You can't take things for granted. And if you want something you have to work hard."
Hard work and not quitting has allowed Striggle to come back strong.
He was, as Whitko coach Wayne Swender described him, a "force to be reckoned with" on the football field this year.
He helped Whitko's defense post three-straight shutouts this season.
And in a recent wrestling tournament, competing as a 195-pounder, Striggle won his weight class with a 5-0 record.
Striggle said he'd like to play football at the collegiate level.
At this point, it'd be hard to bet against him.[[In-content Ad]]
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"I think relentless would be a good word," said Striggle. "I never quit."
That's how Striggle, this year's Times-Union Area Defensive Player of the Year, lives his life – both on and off the football field.
A 6-foot-5, 200-pound defensive end, Striggle was second on Whitko's team in tackles this season with 50.
He led the Wildcats with 14.5 tackles for loss, including a team-high 11.5 sacks.
Under the bright lights on Friday nights, Striggle makes taking down an opposing ball carrier look easy.
It's off the field that Striggle has faced his toughest opponents.
As a sophomore, Striggle was involved in a serious auto accident. His brother, Jarrod Lewis, was airlifted from the scene.
A starter on both the offensive and defensive lines, Striggle's season was over after seven games.
As a junior, Striggle made it through just two games, and things took a turn for the worse again.
"My junior year, I came back strong and things were going great," said Striggle. "We beat Wawasee 20-0 in the first game of the season and every one was excited. I had a couple sacks and a blocked punt in that game, and it was great to be back. In the second game, we got beat by Columbia City, and then I was getting ready for practice that following Monday and I couldn't get my cleat on."
Striggle said his leg and his foot were so swollen he couldn't get his cleat on, and he didn't know why.
Nobody did.
Striggle said in a recent phone conversation he was in a Fort Wayne hospital for 11 days, and nobody could tell him what was wrong.
"It was a long 11 days," said Striggle. "They ran test after test, and nobody knew what was wrong."
Finally, Striggle found out he had a Giant Cell Tumor in his leg, something Striggle said "only 1 in a million people get."
Once a month he goes to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for treatment.
"The things I've been through have taught me a lot," said Striggle. "You can't take things for granted. And if you want something you have to work hard."
Hard work and not quitting has allowed Striggle to come back strong.
He was, as Whitko coach Wayne Swender described him, a "force to be reckoned with" on the football field this year.
He helped Whitko's defense post three-straight shutouts this season.
And in a recent wrestling tournament, competing as a 195-pounder, Striggle won his weight class with a 5-0 record.
Striggle said he'd like to play football at the collegiate level.
At this point, it'd be hard to bet against him.[[In-content Ad]]
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