Bendorf surprises himself with love of wrestling
With a nickname of “The Human Muscle” it should probably come as no surprise Zane Bendorf has had such a successful high school wrestling career. However, Bendorf wasn’t always enamored with the sport.
“I was around five when I first started wrestling,” Bendorf said. “At first I hated it, and my dad finally let me quit once I got to middle school. I took 6th grade off and started to miss it. I joined back in 7th grade and fell in love with it.”
Throughout his wrestling journey, Bendorf has a fond memory that sticks out involving his mother, Erin, watching in the audience.
“My favorite memory was getting to wrestle my freshman year with my brother being a senior,” he said. “We wrestled every match in duals back-to-back because I was 160 and he wrestled 170. My mom came pretty close to a heart attack a few times that year.”
Coach John Murtaugh, who coached wrestling for 37 years, 20 in Harlan and 17 in Wayne, Neb., just wrapped up his coaching career. Bendorf recalled what he’ll miss most about Murtaugh.
“Coach Murtaugh has helped to push me both mentally and physically,” he said. “He was always there with answers to any questions I had for him technique wise. What I will miss most about coach is his passion for the sport and his wrestlers.”
Bendorf in his final year of wrestling got the chance to be one of four members of the team to represent HCHS at the state wresting meet in Des Moines.
During the competition, he locked up his 100th career pin and according to Murtaugh, Bendorf was one of three guys in the bracket who could have won it all.
“It’s a great feeling to know that I was able to achieve something that most people don’t ever get the chance to achieve,” Bendorf said. “It was a great opportunity to wrestle at state my senior year, and something I worked very hard for. It didn’t turn out the way I wanted it, but that’s just life.”
During the fall seasons, Bendorf played football for HCHS, helping them to their 13th and 14th state championship during his junior and senior season. Bendorf has fond memories of his time playing football.
“Definitely winning state my senior year,” he said. “It was a comeback game, and I never lost faith in the team. I played my heart out every play, and it was such a surreal moment when the clock hit zero. I also made the victory sealing tackle at the end which was cool.”
Head Football Coach Todd Bladt refers to Bendorf as “The Human Muscle”, a nickname he gave him. Bendorf credited Bladt for his success in football that led to two titles.
“Coach Bladt was a great motivational speaker for our games, especially at half time,” Bendorf said. “I learned things like perseverance and how to keep pushing mentally and literally.”
Off the field, Bendorf comes from a strong family background where they support him in his endeavors, which includes his dad, Adam, who also wrestled.
“My dad is a very passionate wrestler and has always supported and seen potential in me,” Bendorf added. “He was a 2x state champ in Iowa and a D1 wrestler for BYU. He has played a big role in my wrestling career. My older brother was also a great wrestler and helped me get where I am. My mom has always been a great supporter too.”
With Bendorf’s high school days coming to an end, he doesn’t have any plans to wrestle or play football in college, but plans to invest time on a mission with his church.
“As of right now, I don’t have plans to play sports in college,” he said. “For the next two years after this summer, my focus will be serving a 2-year mission for the church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints.”
Bendorf will always be grateful for the lessons sports has taught him along the way and prepared him for life moving forward.
“Playing sports teaches you a lot about life,” he said. “Football has taught me about team work, communication, and how to give my best effort. Wrestling taught me how to learn from my losses and use them to improve. It has also taught me about the power of our minds and that we truly are capable of accomplishing anything we put our minds to.”