Every year athletic teams of all varieties face a common unforeseen deterrent – injury. This year the Eastern wrestling team has battled constant minor injuries throughout the course of the season.

It seems almost as if every time the team climbs toward 100 percent health, another problem arises. This incessant struggle to overcome injury has caused the team’s leaders to step up, not only to deal with the loss of other teammates, but also to fight through their own injuries.

One such leader has been Eastern junior Matt Veach. Veach recently transferred to Eastern from Iowa State, and since his arrival he has impressed coaches with his hard work and leadership skill.

“He is a warrior,” head coach Ralph McCausland said. “He has tremendous work ethic and leads by example. He is able to step up with the competition.”

Wrestling at 165 pounds, Veach has placed in three of the team’s tournaments this year. Included in these finishes is fourth place in the Eastern Michigan Open and fifth place after a first bout loss at Northern Iowa.

“One meet can really sum him up,” McCausland said. “At Northern Iowa he lost the first bout, regained his composure and finished 7-1.”

While missing approximately six dual meets on the year due to injury, Veach still maintains an impressive dual record of 6-0 and an overall record of 26-9. Going along with Veach’s high praises is a lofty set of goals.

“I’d like to achieve the status of All-American,” Veach said. “That’s the top eight. I’d like to do that both this and next year.”

Veach’s leadership skills have shown through away from the mat as well.

“He’s a great leader,” freshman Nicholas Metcalf said. “He’s the kind of guy who can really carry a team on his shoulders and lead them towards a championship.”

Metcalf also talked about Veach’s ability to help the younger wrestlers feel more comfortable on the team. Teaching new moves and passing on his knowledge of competition.

“He’s a nice kid,” Metcalf said. “He knows basically everything about the sport.”

Veach is scheduled to wrestle this Sunday against Missouri.

As the season presses on and the wounds start to heal, the team will look to leaders like Veach, who sets a stellar example. With just a little over a month before the NCAA qualifier, it gives the team a tremendous boost to have an icon to represent hard work, strength and perseverance.