Leave it all on the mat: Core of motivated wrestlers helm Red Wolves squad

Published 2:38 pm Friday, December 12, 2014

Cedarcrest wrestling is a core of varsity experience leading a big group of younger grapplers.

New head coach Mark Ward is still seeing things shake down.

“I have some guys that, by the end of the season, will be doing some stuff,” he promised.

On the short list, senior Brice McKee captains the team at 170 pounds. At 132 pounds, senior Connor Lemons was a match away from qualifying for state last year, after only just starting that season.

“We try to be serious as much as we can, but we have fun regardless,” said Lemons. “It’s a lot of hard work—I like the challenge.” He tells teammates that “If they put their heart into the match, they’ll come out victorious.”

Experienced senior Elliott Dick will hold things down at 220. “He’s motivated this year,” said Ward. “From what I see, he’s got a shot at being on that podium” at the state tournament.

Last year’s starter Parker McBride, back as a sophomore, is another one to watch at 113 pounds

The coach, Ward, is new to the program. A former Juanita wrestling coach, he grew up in Oklahoma in the sport and wrestled at Southern University. Ward moved to the Valley from Ballard seven ago. He heard from a fellow parent about the coaching vacancy, and got interested. “I had always wanted to get back into it,” Ward said. “I decided that if I was going to do it, it would be in the town I lived in.”

With more than half of the team underclassmen, the Red Wolves are young, but hold promise.

“You’ve got to make them believe,”  Ward said. “These guys, from what I’ve seen these three weeks, have a high desire to learn. They’re motivated.

“One day on break, I tried to slack off and not push them on sprints,” Ward added. “I was overridden.”

Ward is assisted this winter by Cameron Oviatt, a 2008 graduate and ex-Red Wolf wrestler at 189.

Cedarcrest Wrestling Schedule

Wednesday, Dec. 10

Cedarcrest hosts double dual at home, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 13

Cedarcrest at Lake Washington Tournament, 9 a.m.

Thursday, Dec. 18

Cedarcrest hosts Sultan, 6:45 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 20

Cedarcrest at Graham Morin Invite, Squalicum, 10 a.m.

Thursday, Jan. 8

Cedarcrest at Lakewood, 6:45 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 10

Cedarcrest at Sky Valley Invitational, 9:45 a.m.

Monday, Jan. 12

Cedarcrest at Mount Si, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 15

Cedarcrest hosts Granite Falls, 6:45 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 17

Cedarcrest at Darrington Tournament, 10 a.m.

Thursday, Jan. 22

Cedarcrest at South Whidbey, 6:45 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 29

Cedarcrest hosts South Whidbey, 6:45 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 7

Subregional tournament at Granite Falls