Big brother is watching at Liberty High

By Jared Harmon (contact)

Friday, Jan. 2, 2009 | midnight

Jummel Hidrosollo / Special to the Home News

Anthony Reveles, right, coaches his brothers Rudy and Mike on some wrestling moves during a practice at Liberty High School.

Jummel Hidrosollo / Special to the Home News

Anthony Reveles, center, coaches brothers, Mike Reveles, left, and Rudy Reveles, right, on Liberty's wrestling team. Anthony, 20, was a state qualifier for hte Patriots during his career at the school.

Jummel Hidrosollo / Special to the Home News

Rudy and Mike Reveles, front, work on wrestling moves together during a practice at Liberty High School.

After helping Liberty's wrestling team get off the ground in its opening years, Anthony Reveles is back on the Patriots' mats.

One of only a handful of Liberty wrestlers to have their names enshrined on the wrestling room wall as a state tournament qualifier, the 2006 graduate has returned as an assistant coach to help his brothers — sophomore Rudy Reveles and junior Michael Reveles ­— reach the same heights.

When coach Rich Muraco took over as head coach this season, he immediately thought of bringing in Anthony Reveles, one of the accomplished wrestlers in the program's five year history, as an assistant.

"I just liked the idea of being able to help Rudy and Mike get to the next level — reach a state championship — and just help the team as a whole," Anthony Reveles, 20, said. " When I help them with something and they win, it's like me winning all over again."

Michael Reveles, 135 pounds, said having his older brother around during practice has given him an added edge this season.

"Anthony has always been a stronger guy who can use his size where I'm quicker and have to rely on technique," Michael Reveles said. "But there's still a lot that I can learn from him. I trust him more than anyone else. I take everything he says seriously."

Rudy Reveles, 140 pounds, said the season can become repetitive but his brothers help keep him motivated.

"We kind of feed off each other," Rudy Reveles said. "It helps having them come along because they push me and make me better and I try to do the same. "

Muraco said Anthony Reveles, who placed third at state in 160 pounds, has made a smooth transition from student to teacher.

"Anthony is a guy who can get on the mat, demonstrate moves and recognize where kids need to improve," Muraco said. "All the kids look up to him and respect him but they also relate to him real well."

The oldest Reveles said the change of perspective was jarring at first as he got used to the other side of the player-coach relationship.

"It's a little weird to come back and see my name on the wall and think of myself as a coach," Anthony Reveles said. "It's just different. But I like being back. I like trying to help my brothers get their names on the wall. Maybe when I'm older I can bring my kids in and show them their dad wasn't all talk."

Jared Harmon can be reached at 990-8922 or jared.harmon@hbcpub.com.