Wrestlers Weigh In on Program's Worth

WAITSBURG – Coaches, parents and participants associated with the WP wrestling program and the Waitsburg Mat Birds filled the small Preston Hall board room as they waited their turn to speak at the Feb. 11 school board meeting. The representatives were there to express concern that the high school wrestling program might not remain intact in light of next year's dissolution of the Waitsburg-Prescott Sports Combine.

WP wrestling team captain and two-time state competitor Tristan Newman opened the discussion during the public comment portion of the meeting. "I'd like to talk about the importance of wrestling to the team. We don't have a huge team, but it's really important to the kids that do turn out. DJ Lalka – he lives for wrestling season. He doesn't do any other sports. It's all he talks about; it never stops. His season ended last week and he's already talking to me about training next year and getting down to a better weight class," Newman said. "Wrestling has taught me everything in life. This is my 13th season and it's an important thing to keep the team going next year," he added.

Board President Ross Hamann said that at the last WP Combine task meeting both Waitsburg and Prescott discussed which sports each school intended to offer in the coming school year. Hamann said that Waitsburg plans to retain the wrestling program, though Prescott had indicated they will not. Currently, Tyler Hoffman is the only Prescott student participating in wrestling, though Prescott High School science teacher Jason Just is an assistant coach. Hamann said there were logistic issues such as determining where practices would take place and if there was enough equipment and asked about the possibility of using the Mat Birds mats. The Mat Birds Wrestling Club is a member of the Washington Little Guy Wrestling League and is open to children ages 5 to 14.

Travis Newman, who has coached the Mat Birds for 10 years, said the Mat Birds are willing to help in any way possible. "We'll do anything we can do. We have mats that are only a few years old and in good shape. We have headgear . . . we probably don't have too many size-16 shoes, though," Newman said, laughing. He said the Matbirds could help with getting the best prices on gear and would help with fundraising and possibly kick in funds of their own.

WP wrestling coach Lanny Adams credited the Mat Birds with being the backbone of the WP wrestling program. "We have some middle school athletes that will be in the eighth grade next year that we can bring on board as well because we don't offer a middle school program for them. I know there are other 'B' schools with eighth graders wrestling that are going to state," he said.

Hamann said that as long as there is healthy participation the board would like to keep the program, but if numbers began to dwindle they would need to reconsider. "I'm a big supporter of having activities such as wrestling because it's an alternative to basketball at that time of year. If we can at least offer an alternative each season, there's an option for students who don't want to participate in one sport to get involved in another," he said.

Newman commented that Waitsburg really is "one of a kind" when it comes to the Mat Bird program. "There aren't other schools where there are just as many parents watching practices as there are here in Waitsburg," he said.

"Tristan being a state competitor and being visible at the Mat Birds practices – that is huge," said board member Greg Zuger. "That's being a role model for the young kids. That's important. That's what we need, and we don't get that all the time." Kari Newman noted that three of the high school team members – Tristan and Devin Newman and Tyler Hoffman – basically lead the little guys in practice. "That's so important, and you don't always see that anymore," said Zuger.