ROYAL SCRAPPER FINDS SUCCESS RUNDGREN NOTED FOR HIS DILIGENT WORK ETHIC.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY - Adam Rundgren was attracted to the sport of wrestling for reasons that aren't commonly associated with typical teenagers.

When Rundgren was in seventh grade, watching family friend Jason Armour compete for the Simi Valley High team sparked his interest.

``You could just tell they work hard by watching them out there,'' Rundgren said. ``Ever since then I was like 'I want to wrestle'.

Rundgren has since made the most of his opportunity. His love of hard work has helped make him a standout wrestler for Marmonte League champion Royal High.

Rundgren (29-6), a junior who wrestles in the 112-pound division, was the league's individual champion, and is among eight Royal wrestlers who qualified for the two-day Southern Section Inland Division championships, which begin Friday at Ayala of Chino Hills.

Rundgren's propensity for hard work has translated into a distinctive style.

``He's a scrapper,'' Royal coach Paul Mole said. ``He just works so hard, and that's made him a better wrestler.''

Said teammate and league MVP Eric Blackwell: ``His work ethic rubs off on the rest of us.''

Rundgren eventually plans to pursue a career in law enforcement, but before he does that, he wants to follow Armour's path by joining the military. Armour is enlisted in the Army, was stationed in Afghanistan the last time Rundgren's family heard from him several months ago.

Rundgren credits the Royal coaching staff with instilling in him the discipline that he believes has made him a better wrestler, and which ultimately will make him a better soldier.

Mole is himself a former Marine.

``(Mole) always helps us keep our goals in mind, and once you have your goals in mind it's really easy to work hard because you know what you're looking forward to,'' Rundgren said.

Rundgren has wanted to be involved in the military since he was a child, ever since his parents instilled in him the belief that those who join ``are the real heroes.''

``I want to be a Marine, and this is good training,'' he said.

Rundgren believes that wrestling is also good training for life. If nothing else, he said it helps keep teens out of trouble.

``It keeps you away from all the bad things that are going on,'' he said. ``Everybody talks about how they go and party every weekend, but since I wrestle I know I'm not going to. It kind of keeps you away from all the bad things.''

Gideon Rubin [phone]

gideon.rubin(at)dailynews.com

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Adam Rundgren (29-6), a junior who wrestles in the 112-pound division, was the Marmonte League's individual champion.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer