Unity Christian's VerHeecke brothers sign to wrestle in college

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - It’s the end of the line for the VerHeecke brothers, the standout stars of Unity Christian High School wrestling for the past four years.

This fall, the twins will go their separate ways for the first time.

Clinton is staying close to home and will wrestle at Millikin University. Garrett will head six hours north to wrestle at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. Both said the decision was not easy.

"Making that decision to separate after we've done everything in life together is super difficult, but at the end of the day, I think I made the right decision and I'm super excited for it," Garrett VerHeecke said.

"For 18 years, we've shared a room, we've gone to school together, we've had the exact same class schedules. We've been side-by-side for everything, but I think there's going to be something really beautiful about us splitting up," Clinton VerHeecke said.

Each will chart their own path at the collegiate level.

Clinton was a four-time state qualifier and state runner-up this past season, finishing with a record of 178-7. He never lost a regular season match.

"I just love the people there," Clinton VerHeecke said of Millikin. "Ultimately, that's what it's about. The place you're going, you want to have family, you want to be somewhere where you know you're going to be taken care of, where you know those people want the best for you and have your best interest in mind. And Millikin felt like that place."

Garrett VerHeecke was also a four-time state qualifier, finished his Unity Christian career with a record of 180-10, and had a perfect 49-0 record this past season en route to a state championship.

"I just knew there were opportunities there that I really appreciated, that I was really excited for," Garrett VerHeecke said. "I just knew Eau Claire was a place I could grow and eventually become a national champion."

The VerHeecke brothers leave behind a shared legacy at Unity Christian. Both will have their jersey's and accomplishments hung up on the walls next to one another.

Other Unity Christian signees: Qayden Bond (Monmouth College, basketball), Dillon Clark (Sterling College, basketball), Abby Jones (Millikin, volleyball), Sadie Reiterman (McHenry County College, volleyball) and Ella Sandgren (Quincy University, tennis).