Brothers Brody and Kai Preisendorf continue to shine in their sports and are a great representation of the bond that Redwood Athletics creates and maintains.
By: Mariah Villarreal and Libertad Lopez
Brody Preisendorf, ’26, and Kai Preisendorf, ’24, are not only members of both the varsity football and wrestling teams, but they are also brothers.
Brody says, “Football Is more of being my brother’s backup and learning new things, moves, and just following my brother around, while for wrestling it’s more of supporting each other from different weight classes and just having a good time. Being on the same team has really helped us get together more, and really focus on our sports.”
Kai says, “In football it’s nice, I was actually surprised he got playing time because he was set in a position to be right next to me, but for wrestling it’s more of supporting each other, we are not in the same weight class but when we were little we would always wrestle each other.”
He says, “It’s a lot of bonding time that we get to do, from outside of school and in school with sports and other things, we take the same car to practice, and it just gives us the opportunity to hang out more as brothers.”
From a very young age growing up, the boys started their sports with the influence of their dad, Darin Preisendorf.
Mr. Preisendorf says, “Everyone is different and they have grown up into their own person. They are each taking their own journey and are blessed in different ways… that is why I wish that they don’t follow in my footsteps but take a similar path. Regardless of sports and what they do in the end, I just want them to be good humans, be their own person and make a positive impact on society.
Mr. Preisendorf says, “Sports have given them common ground and pushes each of them to be better. Sports teach teamwork, leadership, accountability, ability to work through problems, and all aspects of life.”
Head Wrestling Coach Watts says, “I have known the boys since they were little, they have been close together for their whole lives, and it reminded me of the relationship I had with my brother growing up.”
He says, “When they were younger Brody really loved wrestling, while for Kai not so much, as they got older their views on the sport changed. Kai later grew into it and Brody was always ready to go. We used to go to tournaments together and they always had fun.”
With Kai graduating just this year and Brody in the next few, Wrestling coach Michael Wright expresses how much of an impact both boys have on the team.
He says, “When Kai graduates we are going to lose a mature, influential, and overall great person. But on the bright side he has set an example for all the kids behind him…When it comes to Brody I think he likes all the other kids following the lead, and learning how to be a good example in a whole and that goes in show of his brother.” Coach Wright adds on.
Mariah Villarreal
Mariah Villarreal, is a first year journalist and a senior here at Redwood High School, class of 2024.You can find her taking photos for yearbook around campus, or this year write stories for the Redwood Gigantea.
Libertad Lopez
Tags: #football, #redwood, #rhs, #sports, #wrestling
