WP Wrestling Team Grows

WAITSBURG - Coach Lanny Adams has high ex­pectations for this year's crop of Waitsburg-Prescott wrestlers. With 11 boys competing - the largest turnout since the program restarted - Adams antici­pates Sophomore Tristan Newman will make a re­turn appearance at the state tournament in the Tacoma Dome, and hopes to see an­other team member or two join him.

The relatively new WP High School wrestling pro­gram is beginning its third year, but Coach Adams has a long history with the sport. Adams first began coaching in 1985 when he was wres­tling for Medical Lake High School, where they began a youth wrestling program that is still in existence. That program began with five different teams of about 100 wrestlers, and has grown to approximately 65 teams with over 3,500 wrestlers. The program teaches youth, ages 5-14, the fundamentals and basics of the sport. The Waitsburg MatBirds are part of that program.

Adams, along with Travis and Kari Newman, and Bill Brown, were the driving forces behind getting the MatBird program to Waits­burg.

From the beginning, a goal of the MatBird program was to start a high school program as well. School administrators and board members were regularly invited to watch and observe practices.

"They were impressed with the organization of the club, the structure of the practices and the amount of wrestlers that turned out," Adams said. "I think the selling point to the School Board was the first Tourna­ment that the Mat Birds hosted in Waitsburg. Waits­burg was inundated with 1,500 people attending that tournament. They saw that this was a large program and that there is a future for this sport within the (WP) combine."

Today, Adams serves as head WP wrestling coach and is assisted by Jason Just, who has been with the program since it began. Just had assisted in coaching a middle school program before moving to eastern Washington. "He has made leaps and bounds," said Adams. "I have seen a lot of growth in learning the sport and instructing the wrestlers in the moves."

Jacob Moore, who wres­tled under Adams as part of the Mat Dog program in Dayton, volunteers his time coaching as well. Moore wrestled for Dayton, but when they dropped their program he transferred to Pomeroy to wrestle, and has competed at the state level. "He brings a fresh perspec­tive on the sport and relates well with the athletes," said Adams.

The program continues to grow in both numbers and experience. In the program's first year, four boys com­peted. Last year the team had eight wrestlers. This year's 11 team members are also more experienced due to the MatBird program. "We have a couple of first-year wrestlers, but the major­ity of them have three or more years' experience with MatBirds," said Adams. "We don't have to start at ground zero and build up from there."

The WP team is made up of all boys, but Adam's daughters - Beka and Emily - serve as team managers, keeping stats and assisting the coaches. "Both of them have been on rodeo courts, so they are pretty good at making sure the wrestlers are minding their manners when out in public," said Ad­ams. "I think my wrestlers are the best trained as far as table etiquette is concerned because of those two!"

Only one team member - Gabe Escalante - gradu­ated out last year. "It's too bad we couldn't have started the program sooner. I saw a lot of growth in Gabe and I think if he would have had one or two more years, he would have been competing at the state tournament," said Adams.

Adams feels the most formidable challenge his wrestlers face will be in the classroom rather than on the mat. "I think our big­gest challenge is going to be grades. I have a couple of wrestlers that are struggling with them," he said. "If they are not eligible to participate, it is a let down to the team. We let them know they are students first and athletes second. Another challenge will be keeping them healthy. This is the time of year when the flu and colds start."

This year the team faces a more unique challenge as well. One of the first-year wrestlers has an amputated leg and has not participated in sports before. "He began this season having some struggles with balance but has really been working on that," said Adams. "Some of the team members have never wrestled against some­one with a disability, and at first were unsure of how aggressive to be - or if they were even supposed to be aggressive.

I understand that there are some limitations he encoun­ters, but I still expect him to perform the moves he is able to do with the same intensity that the rest of the team has. The team has been great in teaching him the moves and helping him to adapt to the sport. I don't expect them to 'take it easy' on him, but they do."

Adams says his biggest goals are to see improvement and help the athletes achieve the goals they have set for themselves.

Adams has high expecta­tions for this year's seniors -- Trenton Kitselman and Kavin Kuykendall - who have wrestled for WP since the program began. The team also has three wrestlers from Jubilee that "show some real potential."

"This is the year that we'll see the benefits of the MatBirds program as we have five freshmen that have participated in it for several years," said Adams. "Our 120 pounder, Devin Newman, received an in­jury Friday at practice. It de­pends on how fast he heals up whether he will compete or not. Al Sesay, at 126 pounds, is a first-year wrestler, but is a fast learner and has light­ning speed. David Just, 126 pounds, has a lot of experi­ence and ability. I anticipate him having a very successful year.

"At 145 pounds, I have three that will be competing for the coveted varsity spot: Trenton Kitsleman, Kavin Kuykendall and TJ Morrison. All three have a lot of experi­ence," Adams said. "Trenton is still overcoming an injury he received during football season and is not eligible to compete. All three have the potential to go far. Who knows, maybe we can get one of them to bump up to the 152-pound class.

"Tyler Brooks is next at the 160 pound class," Adams continued. "He has great po­tential to be a four-time state contender. DJ Lalka will be competing at the 170-pound class. He has overcome many obstacles by just stepping out onto the mat. I see him meet­ing the goals he has set for himself. EJ Oppelt is another first-year wrestler, competing at the 182 pound class. Once he figures out his balance, he will be another contend­er. Tyler Hoffman, at 220 pounds, has a lot of potential. We just need to make sure that we light that fire under him before he steps on the mat. Rounding out the team at 285 is Tristan Newman. I expect to see him back at the Tacoma Dome this year."

Adams said the team man­agers have made a deal - as a special incentive to make it to State - with the wrestlers. If five or more team members qualify for State, the man­agers will let the team dye their hair. Beka has agreed to bright blue hair with red highlights and Emily has conceded to pink.

"So, come February, if you encounter two girls with brightly colored hair, you'll know we have at least two going to the Dome," said Adams.