WUSSTIG REPS THE FLAG IN D1 SECONDARY

By Patrick Lujan

Chalk up another one for our Guam-blooded athletes representing in the states.

Portland State Vikings redshirt freshman Zach Wusstig is making his mark in D1 football, carrying the Wusstig name brought down from his grandfather Ernie Wusstig – Guam’s famous northern farmer well-known for his delicious corn.

Born and raised in Jefferson, Oregon and yet to make his way to Guam, the soon-to-be 20 year old (Oct 11) is well aware of his island heritage, particularly his Yigo roots where his grandpa is one of 18 children.

“I have a huge CHamoru family, with my great grandparents having 18 kids so there ended up being a lot of Wusstigs around.”

Like many stateside CHamorus, Zach waves the Guam flag proudly any chance he gets, even getting a tattoo of his island flag. And like most CHamoru gatherings in the states, it’s all too familiar with the Guam dishes.

“At home we’ll eat food like lumpia, red rice, tatiyas, kelaguen. My family loves to eat CHamoru food. Family has always been important, my grandparents will come stay at my house for extended periods of time from Guam. Or just being with my cousins, it’s always a great time and I love being with family.”

Zach’s dad is Gene Wusstig and his mom is Angie from Jefferson, just south of Salem. He has an older sister Maddie and younger brother Evan.

“My dad goes (to Guam) all the time but with sports, it’s been hard to go for the lengths of time that he goes.”

ATHLETIC PROWESS

Standing at 6-foot-1, 195 lbs, Wusstig has the natural build for his safety position. He started playing flag football in the 2nd grade before putting on the pads two years later. He excelled at basketball and baseball as well, with basketball being his favorite. Sophomore season in high school was when he put his full attention on football. “Football started to become the main focus just because that is what I started excelling in the most and football, in my opinion, is the best sport.”

Wusstig did it all in high school: run, catch, return, played defense. He was a three-time first team All-Conference selection on both offense and defense. This resulted in an athletic scholarship to Portland State University just an hour up the road.

“The biggest difference is definitely the speed of the game and attention to detail of the game. It is way more intricate,” Wusstig said about the transition from high school to D1 football. ” For example, on the defensive side of the ball, pre-snap alignment is always so crucial. Understanding your keys and where to put your eyes. Gaps scheme and fronts, and understanding what call to make on the field especially for me as a safety. Also film is huge at the next level. Then the play just happens way faster at the next level.”

He medically red shirted his true freshman season after two games because of a torn shoulder labrum. “At first it was rough but it was good for my career. I got an extra year of eligibility and I’m able to play at a higher level as a freshman this year.”

Wusstig has impressed the coaches off and on the field so much that they’ve selected him as one of the team captains – a rarity for a redshirt freshman.

It’s been a rough start for the Vikings so far, however, with tough losses to Washington State, Weber State, Boise State and Chattanooga.

As to what it takes to succeed at the D1 level, Wusstig said, “It’s all about making plays on the field and standing out any way you can. Showing relentless effort on every play, doing the little things off the field that will put you over the competition. Another big one is you have to love the game, at the college level it’s a lot and if you don’t love it you’re not going to enjoy the grind.”

SCHOOL

The accolades don’t stop on the field. Zach has been a straight ‘A’ student his entire life. Read that again! Every single report card he’s ever had has been all A’s.

“School has always been big for me and my family.”

That’s an understatement. 4.0 GPAs will get you a high school class valedictorian award at South Salem High.

He’s now majoring in finance and hopes to work for a major fund in the future.

“I’ve always been interested in business and math has always been a strong suit for me so it only made sense.”

“All about commitment!”

– Zach Wusstig on being a straight A student all his life

Older sister Maddie is getting her medical degree and younger brother Evan already has a scholarship in his high school junior year, so it’s safe to say smarts runs in the family.

‘CRANK’ FAN

Asked what Guam athlete he’s enjoyed following the most, Zach picked Frank ‘The Crank’ Camacho. “I’ve always been a fan of Frank Camacho and how he reps the island.”

After getting word that he’s been an inspiration to Wusstig, the former UFC fighter and now knife entrepreneur was stoked and gave more inspiring words to the Oregonian CHamoru.

“Chase the DREAM like a CHamoru Magalahi,” Camacho sends out. “Continue to honor your family, yourself, your community, and the artform that makes you a better man. In your case, football! When all these aspects of your life are in sync and firing on all cylinders, you will be UNSTOPPABLE. For Her (Guam) Honor. PARA I ONRA!”

CORN, CORN

Back to his famous grandpa Ernie, Zach said that the delicious corn grown in Yigo occasionally makes its way to Oregon for all to enjoy.

“Best corn I’ve ever had. No bias.” And there won’t be any arguments from the islanders who’ve tried it themselves.

“I’m just so proud of him,” papa Ernie said about his grandson. “I told him, if he makes it to the NFL, I’ll carry his luggage.”

And that luggage may be filled with good, Yigo-grown corn.