California Lutheran C-Hawks: Where are they now?

MaxPreps Student Section

Drew Dyrssen has many memorable moments from his four years at California Lutheran (Wildomar, Calif.). Dyrssen played football, basketball, and baseball. Dyrssen is an exceptional athlete who played football, basketball, and baseball. He is 6'3" and now weighing 205 pounds. This was evident by his success in all three sports. Dyrssen was very much involved in at California Lutheran. He took AP classes, was elected student body president as a senior, played in a hand bell choir, and sang in a touring vocal choir. He now attends Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Dyrssen reflected on his time at Cal Lutheran over the phone this past week.

One of Dyrssen's accomplishments during his high school years was being given the Athlete of the Year award as a senior in 2009. The award was introduced to recognize an exceptional senior athlete that performed well at the varsity level in multiple sports. Dyrssen learned many life lessons through his sporting events. Dyrssen learned many life lessons in high school sports the most important was "to always work harder because opponents are always training; it's the same thing in real life – everyone works hard."

Dyrssen was also affected by his coaches he played under. A coach may spend more time with an athlete than their parents do during a busy season. This especially was the case for Dyrssen, who carpooled to school every day. Dyrssen specifically remembered one halftime speech by Cal Lutheran football coach Dave Peter. Coach Peter made his "protect your penny" speech when the C-Hawks played on the road in Bermuda Dunes against Desert Christian. Coach Peter talked about a penny that his young daughter had given him after being diagnosed with leukemia. He directed it towards his players saying no one should be able to take away their penny. His daughter has since been blessed with a full recovery, but that time was very stressful for Peter and his football team.

Dyrssen's favorite sport is and has always been football. He was starting varsity quarterback junior and senior year and also a starting defensive end as a senior. Dyrssen's favorite football memory was "playing junior year against Montclair Prep." That first round playoff game was one for the ages, a back and forth contest with both teams putting major points on the board. Montclair Prep won the game 64-59 on a last minute touchdown drive. Dyrssen threw for two touchdowns for the C-Hawks. Regardless of that disappointing first round loss, Cal Lutheran had an outstanding team that season with a roster full of size, strength, and skill. During that season Dyrssen enjoyed how "we didn't all get along [off the field], but everyone worked hard, we all wanted to win despite not having a lot in common, we put [our differences] aside." Dyrssen earned multiple honors in football. He was named First Team All-Victory League in 2007 as a junior and in 2008 as a senior.

In the winter season he played basketball. Dyrssen was a starter for the C-Hawks as a junior and senior, and while basketball wasn't his absolute favorite sport like football, he "enjoyed competing with friends." Dyrssen scored 275 points in 37 career varsity games. He scored no less than double figures in 11 of those games. Dyrssen was chosen as a second team All-Arrowhead League player twice: in the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 seasons.

Dyrssen was also a very talented baseball player. He was a part of many baseball teams while at Cal Lutheran, including a 2009 team that broke through in the Arrowhead League with a 5-0 win over Upland Christian. They had completely dominated the league for several years. Dyrssen was a big part in that game, pitching a shutout and surrendering just one infield single in the seventh inning. When asked about that game, Dyrssen recalls having "a near no-hitter. Coach asked if I wanted him to take me out. I said no – this is my responsibility to finish this game." Dyrssen did his job leading his team to one of the most exciting and important victories in Cal Lutheran baseball history.

Dyrssen was a very decorated baseball player. He was the Arrowhead League Defensive MVP in 2008 and 2009. He played all four infield positions along with his many appearances as a pitcher. 2nd team All-Arrowhead League selection in 2007, and a first team All-Arrowhead League selection in 2008 and 2009. Dyrssen was named to the 2009 All-CIF Division 6 baseball team as a senior.

Dyrssen's life after high school has just begun. He spent one year at Palomar College near his home in Vista, California. Dyrssen is now finishing his first year at Wisconsin Lutheran College. He is a college sophomore academically, but has three years of athletic eligibility remaining after playing football just this year. Currently he is second on the quarterback depth chart. Some adjustments clearly must be made for him after playing 8 man football at Cal Lutheran, and now adjusting to 11 man football. He hopes to "become an anesthesiologist, and to graduate within 4-5 years." Other than becoming a starter by next season, Dyrssen also hopes his team will win conference and go into playoffs.

Drew Dyrssen made the most of his time at Cal Lutheran both as an athlete and student, and is in the process of doing the same in college. He was very involved in high school, which has helped him to become a well-rounded person. He has seen and experienced many different things already in life, and that should be credited to his former high school. California Lutheran may be a small school, but it gives every student the chance to be a choir member, multiple sport athlete, and student council representative at the same time. Dyrssen certainly has a bright future ahead of him, and will take lessons he has learned in high school with him as he moves forward in life as an athlete, student, and young man.