BC’s Young Brothers
Siblings. About 80 percent of Americans have at least one brother or sister. You love them, grow up with them, sometimes can’t stand the sight of them, but if they’re in your life they definitely play an important role.
Far fewer people – about 20 percent – attend the same college as a brother or sister. Even fewer attend college with a sibling. Among those few are Bluefield College’s Luke and Ethan Young, two brothers currently attending BC who are not only talented students, but also skilled wrestlers.
As the older brother of the two, Luke came to Bluefield College in 2018, and Ethan followed shortly after in 2019. Both are from Troutville, VA, where they graduated from Lord Botetourt High School. When asked why they came to Bluefield College together, Luke was quick to respond.
“I chose to come to Bluefield College for several different reasons,” Luke said, noting his desire to continue wrestling and the fact that other family members, including his mother and grandfather, attended BC. “Going to college with my brother seems normal to me since we went to high school and wrestled together.”
Luke said it was also important for him to attend a small Christian college. He is a junior this year majoring in exercise and sports science, and he plans to pursue a career in that field after graduating. As a member of the Rams wrestling team, he has earned a number of honors. In fact, this year he qualified for the NAIA National Wrestling Tournament and was two wins shy of being named an NAIA All-American.
“He’s been the perfect student-athlete,” said Rams wrestling coach Jason Waelti, “and I couldn’t ask anything more from him. He gave all of himself for this team all year.”
A sophomore, Ethan has also enjoyed success in wrestling. He was named an alternate for the NAIA National Wrestling Tournament this year. Beyond wrestling, both brothers have earned placement on the President’s and Dean’s lists for academic achievement and both enjoy the outdoors and working out.
“I’ve always looked up to my older brother,” Ethan said, “so it has helped to have him here to motivate me to be the best I can be in my academics and athletics.”
When asked if there were any drawbacks of the two attending college together, Luke said there were none besides the minor annoyance of people getting to two confused from time to time.