Ericksons Come Blogging: McKay the Man!

McKay grew so much this year with his wrestling, some may say he even gained 35 pounds in just a few minutes! Seriously, what a brave and bold decision by this fearless Tillery boy to move from JV 160 to Varsity 195. On the Digger team, there were several boys at the 160 -170 weight. Plus Cody was 170 and 182. The coach thought McKay could move up to 195. Considering the other wrestlers in the district and state at that weight, Coach Glider thought McKay would do well by moving up. What an inspiration for all of us to see!

With the Covid-19 limitations, it was a different season than the previous year. Spectators were limited. We attended in person the Braves Brawl here in Star Valley, then our next opportunity was Districts, in St. Anthony. We so appreciate what Chrystal and Luke were able to share video and photo wise that either they filmed or they got from personnel who could attend.

And while this may not be completely in chronological order or a comprehensive compilation, here are a few videos to re-cap some of the excitement of McKay's season.

This one is from Jan 15. Pretty sure he's 160 here. Don't know the place or event.

Here's another one from Jan 15. I think that's the Tiger Griz tournament.

I think this was his very first 195 match. But I don't remember the tournament, Madison Invitational maybe???

This match is from Feb 3. Not sure what event.

McKay faced a kid from Teton for this match below. It was actually Senior Night for Cody, but the Teton coach, (according to how I was told the story) figured his 182 wrestler would certainly lose to Cody. So he moved McKay up to 195 thinking it would be an easy win. I wonder how this coach must have felt about that choice.

I'm not sure when this match was wrestled. I just have it titled, "McKay Nail Biter". I'm not sure who's filming it either, but they certainly are cheering on McKay. I think this one is Jan 9th.

McKay told us at the district meet that in order to wrestle 195, he had to weigh in at 172.1. To prepare, the night before he ate a 12 ounce steak and a huge plate of French fries. He drank about 4 pounds of water that morning before weigh-ins, coming in at 173. After he cleared it, he figured he dropped three or four pounds when he used the bathroom. 😉

The following match I think was McKay's first at Districts, which was held at South Fremont.

This match is against a Teton kid.

Because of his first win, McKay automatically placed second, since there are only three schools in the district which qualified him for the final round. Each wrestler was presented. Surely warmed this Grandma's heart to see two brothers, side by side in this face off introduction.

McKay vs South Fremont

In order to be fair to the other wrestler with one loss, McKay had to wrestle for what is called, "true second". The following is that match.

McKay teased that he was endorsed by Reese's with his cap and socks. We teased back that eating Reeses would be needed to continue to make his higher weight.😃

So now on to State! We're so proud of McKay and his determination at such a higher weight.

His first match for state started just after Cody's first match started. One of the disadvantages of being in sequential weights. Thank goodness Zayne was filming McKay too. Dad and I ran to where McKay was wrestling just in time to see the pin. McKay vs Kimberly

Next McKay wrestled a McCall kid next, an undefeated senior, a transfer student who was a state champion in Oregon the previous year. As Luke said, "He's like a full grown man that McKay has to wrestle." But McKay faced him with the courage of a David facing Goliath.

Next was Kellogg

I was trying at this point to video the matches but was not aware of my phone storage being almost full. So I got part one, and then the next video is courtesy Zayne on Luke's phone.