PALM DESERT — When former Palm Desert High School wrestler Brian Murphy began his four-year varsity career, his first match as a freshman set the tone for what was to come.

Against El Centro Central, Murphy battled into overtime, then scored a pin.

“That's when I knew he was going to be a good one,” said former Palm Desert coach Mike Salotti, who coached both Murphy brothers, Brian and older brother Sean. “They were two of the building blocks that helped PDHS wrestling gain respect in the Southern California wrestling community.”

Salotti knew that both would become successful with their work ethic and dedication.

Today Brian is one of 250 police officers for the City of Pasadena and Sean is in the Navy, specializing in search-and-rescue training.

“Both have used their good work ethic to continue their winning ways,” said Salotti.

Brian graduated with a criminal justice degree from Cal State Fullerton and started working in law enforcement right out of college in Fullerton, became a code enforcement officer, then entered the police academy last June.

It took 24 weeks of training, but he looked back on what wrestling taught him to get through the grueling training.

“My work ethic was one of bigger things that helped me,” said Brian. “You just had to focus in and see it in the end just work had.

“I've been out here for almost a year now and I learn so much every day. It takes forever to be good at this job. It's never the same crime, the same call. You can't handle the same call the same way every time. You have to adapt really quick.”

Brian, a two-time Desert Valley League champion who placed fourth in CIF and advanced to Masters, said it's the day-to-day work that reminds him of his high school wrestling days. There was always drilling and more drilling, running, and then more drilling. He sometimes never thought it would come to an end.

“We were always going over the same stuff,” he remembered. “All the drilling, I never saw the point. But no matter how tedious it can be, it becomes second nature. You can apply that to life. You just have to look at the bigger picture and see then end result in what you're doing.”

Sean, 25, decided to join the military right out of high school and has been around the world twice with the service. He endured two full deployments to the Persian Gulf and has made stops in Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Dubai, England and the Bahamas.

Salotti said Sean was one of the toughest wrestlers he's ever coached. Sean was fifth in CIF during his senior year.

“He was a very hard worker and did everything that a coach could ask for,'' said Salotti. “He never complained and was always willing to do a little more. He was strong as a bull and always in shape.”

One match Sean will always remember is the one he missed.

He was late and the team left without him. Salotti said he was never late again and Sean added that he hasn't been tardy for anything since.

“The wrestling thing made me stronger, both physically and mentally,” Sean said. “I was able to deal with it and it helped me grow. When I was late, it was a lesson learned and I've never been late for anything again.”

That's part of his job now.

He's flying helicopters at a moment's notice, (he's currently based in San Diego) and trains others on search-and-rescue technique.

“I do get a sense of pride with teaching them what to do in order to succeed,'' said Sean.

Both brothers are wrestling with success.