Ryan Thompson, a 220-pound senior, and junior heavyweight Alex Thompson, linemates in football almost as far back as they can remember, are spearheading one of the more successful Haddon Heights seasons in recent memory.
As they enter Friday night's Region 7 tournament, the Thompsons have every intention of keeping that success going.
That much they are sure of.
But their athletic futures, once destined for the gridiron, are becoming increasing points of reflection.
"I have been thinking about that more than I used to," said Ryan Thompson, who is 34-2 this season. "It's been a great season for both of us. And I would say that now I kind of consider myself more of a wrestler. And it's what I plan to do in college."
"I'm still leaning more towards football," said Alex Thompson (38-1), who recently set the Haddon Heights school record for wins in a season. "But if wrestling keeps going the way it is for me, then I really don't know."
Both are in the process of narrowing their college searches.
Ryan Thompson was initially hesitant even to go out for wrestling. He was a kid, Ormsby said, who was essentially "pulled out of the hallway and into the wrestling room," and Ryan Thompson concedes that it took some getting used to.
"The way it was sold to me was that it would make me a better football player," he said. "So I got into it my freshman year, won a few matches, and started to like it. And it just took off from there."
"The sports complement each other," said Alex Thompson, who ultimately joined the wrestling team on his older brother's recommendation. "The foot speed I developed in wrestling transfers onto the football field. Pushing people around on a football field comes in handy in wrestling. And there's a similar kind of aggression that you need for both sports."
Ormsby echoed those sentiments. But what has really pushed the brothers to new levels of success this season, he said, is an increasing commitment to a sport that was once just an afterthought.
"Success comes with all of the hard work that they put in," Ormsby said. "Going to wrestling camps in the summer, lifting, and doing all of the things they need to do to get better.
"This year, they're really putting it together and having great seasons."
Ormsby said his entire team took on a more dedicated mind-set this season. The competition in the wrestling room, he said, breeds better technique and more success out of the room.
The Thompsons "have really mastered a few takedowns from both sides," Ormsby said. "And they're riding really well on top. They've really turned into two very technically sound wrestlers.
"I can't say enough about them, their family, and their work ethic."
The brothers take pride in that work ethic. They said they're always pushing each other.
And they've thrived in football not just because they play on the same line, but also because they play next to each other on the same line. Ryan Thompson is a center, and Alex Thompson is a guard.
"Having that close relationship is big for us," Alex Thompson said. "We can go home and talk about what works and what doesn't and what we need to do to improve."
Added Ryan Thompson: "We've always been close, but sports brings us even closer.
"To add to our success in regions, and hopefully states, would be big for us."
Contact Chris Melchiorre at rallysports@phillynews.com.
