Lakeland College

Junior wrestler uses competitive spirit for a good cause

Athletics - posted on 10/11/2011

Ryan Renon, a junior on the Lakeland College wrestling team, takes advantage of every opportunity to showcase the caring side of his competitive spirit.

Renon, a sergeant in the United States Army National Guard stationed in nearby Plymouth, participated in a 20-mile Ruck March for Children's Hospital of Wisconsin on Sept. 24 in Whitelaw, Wis.

Renon, along with four members from the Bravo 1-121 Field Artillery, marched 20 miles in full uniform, including combat boots and a 50-pound backpack, to raise money for two families in Wisconsin. Renon raised $600 on his own, while the unit combined to raise $3,000.

The Wrightstown, Wis., native took a little over eight hours to complete the march that started at 7 a.m. Renon said the participants from Bravo 1-121 only made one rule: "We couldn't take our backpack off until we finished," said Renon.

Renon got involved after one of the sergeants in his unit organized the march for the second straight year.

"I thought I could help out in a bigger way this year by marching," said Renon. "I knew I would have the support from the Lakeland community, and it meant a lot to me to be able to help out. It made me realize that no matter how bad things might get in my life, there is always someone else who's facing more difficult challenges that needs help. It felt good to be part of something that made a difference in people's lives."

Next year, Renon plans on organizing a bigger group from the Bravo 1-121 unit.

This past July, Renon participated in another charity event. This time it was Tough Mudder, a 10-mile obstacle race held at the Devils Head Resort in Merrimac, Wis.

Tough Mudder is an extremely difficult obstacle course that involves running, among other things, through thick layers of mud. Most of the proceeds from the obstacle went towards the Wounded Warrior Project.

"Mud was literally everywhere," said Renon. "It is very difficult to run up a hill that is covered in mud, but I had a lot of fun, and it was really rewarding."

At the end of the 10-mile race was a 50-yard run through electrical wire in between hay barrels. "I was more focused on avoiding being shocked than winning the race," said Renon. At the end of the two and a half hour trek, Renon managed to only hit four electrical wires.

"It felt like I was getting punched in the gut," Renon said, "but it was for a good cause."

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