Crown Point senior right guard Austin Reading has made history under coach Craig Busea.
That's saying something considering Buzea is in his 33rd season and is a member of the Indiana Football Hall of Fame.
“He's the first kid in my life to have two knee surgeries in the same year and still play,” Buzea said. “He's a tough son of a bitch.”
The 6-foot, 245-pound Reading, a talented wrestler who finished fifth in the state at 215 pounds last season, suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee during a tournament in early July. He initially said he thought he was only “tweaking it up.” But an MRI revealed the nature of the injury, which required surgery.
Reading returned to the field in early August and played in the Bulldogs' season opener against Lowell. But he suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee in the second quarter of a Week 2 game against Indianapolis Pike on Aug. 29.
“We saw him limping off the field against Pike and our hearts just sank,” Buzea said. “He just came back for his first game after surgery over the summer. And suddenly it happens. We didn't know what it was. At first it looked like we were going to lose him before the end of the year… Just incredible tenacity.”
Reading had an MRI the day after the game and had surgery the following week. He returned for the Bulldogs Duneland Athletic Conference game against Valparaiso in Week 6 with a brace on his left knee.
“I feel good,” he said. “I'm not in pain. This brace is just another layer of security.”
Reading also suffered a torn ACL in his left knee early in his eighth-grade wrestling season. He recovered in time for the football season, most of which he spent on the junior varsity team. But he earned a reputation at the collegiate level, and by the time he was a sophomore, he started and finished second in Class 6A.
Reading continued to improve despite further knee injuries as the Bulldogs continued to win. Ranked No. 3 in the 6A State Coaches Poll, Crown Point (8-0, 6-0) can clinch the outright conference title by defeating Michigan City in the regular-season finale on Friday and will play Lake Central in the section semifinals on Oct. 31.
“He's playing and playing well,” Buzea said of Reading. “And when I say he's been playing well, we've had a couple of college guys at our games the last two or three weeks, including last week against Chesterton, and out of all the guys we had, the first one they asked about was him. I was like, “Oh, man.”
“I don't know what his plans are yet – he might want to play – but he'll have the opportunity to do it if he wants to. They just love his tenacity. It's been really nice when guys come up and ask about him. Really cool.”
Reading has also impressed teammates such as the senior defender/midfielder. Griffin Van TicheltPurdue wrestling recruit.
“Watching Austin play forward is one of the most compelling things I’ve ever seen,” Van Tichelt said. “Every other game he's got someone on the field, and it all starts on the practice field and in the weight room. Austin makes sure we stay true to ourselves and work hard.”
“Austin is also a key leader for our team with how much energy he puts into the game. If our defense makes a big stop, he'll run up to you ready to headbutt you to congratulate you.”
Van Tichelt added: “No matter the setback, Austin always has a smile on his face and is ready to keep moving forward.”
Reading started up front next to right tackle. Nolan CiceroBall State recruit for two seasons.
“Austin is not just our right guard, he is the heart of our offensive line and one of the best leaders anyone could ask for,” Cicero said. “On and off the field, you can always count on him. The bond he builds with his teammates goes far beyond football. It's about trust, respect and brotherhood.”
“I've known Austin since high school and from day one he's been the guy everyone wants to be around. He does everything right and then some. His work ethic, attitude and leadership skills set the standard for all of us. I'm lucky to be able to take pictures with such a great player and an even better person. Austin is the kind of guy who makes a team feel like family and we're all better people because of him, of course.”
Reading took such responsibilities seriously.
“Our group looks to me as a leader, so I have to make sure I'm always doing the right thing and not messing around,” he said. “Some of our young guys are following me and Nolan on the O-line, so we have to make sure we always do the right thing, take them under our wing so they can learn as well.
“I've really stepped up my game by being vocal and trying to help lead the offense. I can talk more, help people overcome adversity and just be a leader.”
Buzea described every member of the Crown Point offensive line, including Reading, as having a “mean and vicious” demeanor on the field. He remembered Reading when he was an eighth-grader.
“He started with us as a guard guy before we moved him to the offensive line,” Buzea said. “He was a little short at first, but he was a tremendous athlete. With what we do, he's perfect for us, and now obviously he's filled out and can hold his own.
“He's a cutthroat competitor. He's one of those kids who acts nasty but always has a smile on his face.”
Reading smiled about his fifth-place finish in wrestling last winter. He placed second in the sectional, regional and semistate rounds. As a sophomore, he weighed 190 pounds and finished second in section and region, but lost in the first round of the semistate tournament.
“Last year it was hard to get there,” Reading said. “The year before, my sophomore year, I placed in the top eight at state. I was supposed to go down to state, place at state. But I got upset in the first round of semistates.
“So going into the postseason last year, I didn't want to have any regrets. I just went out there and fought as hard as I could and made sure I did that and didn't get upset again.”
In January, Reading's mother, Shannon, died of brain cancer at age 46. He skipped the DAC tournament to spend time with her.
“I knew she was there for me, supporting me and helping me get through the rest of the postseason,” Reading said. “It was hard, but she helped me get through it and get where I wanted to be.”
Buzea said Reading “probably has a chance to win a state wrestling title” this upcoming season. This is exactly the scenario Reading envisions.
“State champion is my goal,” he said. “I’d like to come out with a state championship under my belt—maybe two of them: football and wrestling.”
Buzea is certainly rooting for Reading to make this a reality.
“He's had a tremendous amount of adversity over the last year,” Buzea said. “He's been through a lot, but he always has a smile on his face and he just perseveres. He's a fantastic kid and an amazing, amazing football player.”
“He’s just one of those kids you love to coach and hate to lose.”
