Something to Wrestle With

By Eric Pearson

staff writer

“The guys have a good ‘bad attitude.’”
That’s how Coach John Menhart describes this year's Northview wrestling team. However, the team is facing a significant challenge this year: there simply aren’t enough competitors.

Wrestling is both a team and individual sport. Each athlete wrestles individually, after which the scores from the matches of varsity wrestlers for each weight class are added together to determine which team wins. If there is no varsity wrestler for a weight class then that match-up is considered forfeit or void and the opposing team gets all the points.

While the Wildcats fight in each individual match, it is very difficult to earn enough points to win as a team. Because of the low numbers on the team there are so many voids that Northview doesn’t just need to win every match it has, as Coach Menhart puts it,“They gotta pin to win.” Meaning that each player must pin their opponent and gain the additional points garnered for a decisive victory. If even one player wins by decision, and thus doesn’t get as many points, the team cannot win.

Wildcat wrestling is facing low numbers at an ironic time. The program got new floor and wall mats in the practice room this year as well as a heater to help cut weight. When asked about the facilities Coach Charlie Wells, who has decades of experience both as a wrestler and a coach, said that they were, “Second to none,” and that “we got awesome facilities.”

Additionally, the extensive coaching staff of Coach Jordan Burns, John Menhart, Jesse Tobar, and Charlie Wells has the combined coaching experience approaching the age of an octogenarian.
Reflecting on the opportunity that Northview supplies free to any student to participate in what Coach Menhart dubs “the greatest sport,” Coach Wells said that the only obstacle that an athlete would face joining wrestling was “If they don’t want it.” 

For those that have taken the opportunity to compete, this season is underway after months of off-season prep and conditioning led by senior Jason Rector and his brother sophomore Trent Rector. Between the two of them they have nine years of wrestling and a lot of love for the sport.

 
Jason is hoping to make it to state competitions on the individual side of wrestling. Besides his high goals, which Coach Jordan Burns says he has potential for, Rector simply loves to “beat people up” as he proudly states. 

Coach Burns welcomes anyone to join but also declared that no matter the numbers he’ll “go out there fighting.

Photos courtesy of Younga Rector

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