The 'Eagle Times' Student Newspaper

A senior wrestler gets his opponent in a headlock in order to pin him. (Photo by Ashley Lewicki)

Senior wrestler ranked first in class 3A

By Megan Bowers

February 09, 2005

Senior year is the grand finale for most high school students. It marks the end to their younger days and the beginning of their future. Teachers tell students to make every year count. For Silver Lake High School senior wrestler Jeremy Mellies, this is the year that he wants to make a difference on the mat. Currently, Mellies is ranked first among all 152 pound high school wrestlers in class 3A.

Mellies is one of the five returning seniors on this year’s wrestling team. Last season, he qualified to state for the first time, and at state he pinned all of his opponents for a bid to the championship round. Although he lost, Mellies learned a lot from the experience.

“When Schippers beat me in the championship round, it made me want to work harder and prove to myself that I could do better,” Mellies said.

Wrestling has been a part of Mellies’ life since third grade when he started competing in Kids Wrestling. For nine years, he has stayed with the sport.

“I became involved with wrestling in third grade because I knew that it was a hard sport that would keep me in shape, and once I became involved, I started to like wrestling and the competition,” he stated.

To prepare for meets, the wrestling team practices every day after school. Mellies also does some additional running on the weekends, and he has attended the Granby School of Wrestling camp his freshman and junior year. His hard work and diligence is starting to pay off, and he said being ranked first in the state gives him a boost.

“I guess that the state rankings raise my confidence and build my self-esteem. Knowing that you are ranked first isn’t enough; you have to prove it on the mat,” he said.

Head wrestling coach Harry LaMar has been not only Mellies' coach, but also his mentor.

“Harry has taught me a lot. He may push me, but he always helps me up,” Mellies declared.

A new face can be seen at wrestling practices and meets this year. Tim Horgan is the new assistant wrestling coach at SLHS. Horgan was an assistant coach at St. Marys before coming to Silver Lake. He is a student at Washburn University where he is majoring in special education.

Horgan said that he likes making a difference.

“I enjoy the challenges of working with students who weren’t blessed academically, that includes students with physical and mental handicaps," he said.

The wrestling team will travel to Rock Creek on Friday for the league wrestling tournament. To keep track of team and individual wrestling results, check out “The Eagle Times” link for the latest information.