Skip to main content

Idaho Enterprise

Senior Night Wrestling

The Dragon wrestling coaches, parents and fans filled the stands to cheer on the MHS wrestlers in their last home match of the season Friday, February 10.  The night was exciting not only to root for the home favorites, but also to celebrate the seniors in their final year as well as to pay tribute to Cal Willie, a former Dragon wrestler that was taken from this life all too soon.

The night kicked off as the senior wrestlers were recognized with a few parting memories and thoughts from their wrestling time.  First, from the Lady Dragons wrestling team, was Cambree Howe.  Her favorite memory of her time on the mats was the first time she hit the Spen Lee Fireman’s move in the Marsh Valley Tournament and the greatest lesson she has learned was to “always T-out.”

Maisey Potter, the manager for the MHS team for several years, next shared her favorite memory with the team- eating out at the Mexican restaurant in Aberdeen... “Enough said.!”  Looking to the underclassmen, she gave the simple advice, “Be on time for the bus!”

Kole Willie, who plans to work following graduation, shared to future Dragon wrestlers, “Spend time in the off season wrestling and going to camps if you want to be successful.  I wish I would have done it to help myself become better.”

Ruxton Tubbs plans to go on a mission and then onto school after he graduates.  From wrestling he has learned that “anything is possible if you put your mind to it and work hard enough for it.”  In addition, he shared to the underclassmen, “It’s gonna be worth it in the long run.”

Trevor Mills looks to become a journeyman electrician as well as serve a mission for THe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints after his high school career.  He quoted to the underclassmen, “Hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t work hard.”

Zach Mills also plans to serve a mission and then attend USU following graduation.  During his time as a Dragon wrestler he learned that even though winning is fun, its important to embrace the tough times.

After recognizing the senior wrestlers, Jeff Richins, read aloud Matt Wray’s poem, “A Real Cowboy” to pay tribute to Cal Willie.  Cal died of an unfortunate accident in the summer of 2019.  His wrestling head coach, Devin Morrison, wanted to help his family keep Cal’s legacy alive by dedicating the final night of wrestling to him.  Cal’s two younger brothers, Jack and Sam wrestle on the MHS Dragon team as well as his cousin, Kole.

Tom Willie, Cal’s father, shared that Cal enjoyed wrestling but wasn’t necessarily anything special.  He said with a grin, “Cal was famous for being unstoppable the first day matches and then just tanked the second.  He had a few runs at the state tournament but never placed at the top.  It wasn’t until later that he made an impact with his wrestling.”

While serving his mission in the Arkansas, Bentonville Mission, Cal had an opportunity few missionaries ever have.  His mission president had encouraged the missionaries to find ways to use their talents to serve the people around them.  Humbly, Cal struggled to think of a talent he could use to help others, until he came across the MacDonald High School wrestling team.  Somehow, Cal was granted permission to help coach the team, even getting down on the mats with wrestlers and traveling to some of the meets and matches.  

Over the weeks that Cal worked with MacDonald wrestling team, he never once preached the gospel in so many words, but every day he showed those kids how important they were.  Tom said, “Those kids loved him and you know that he made a big impact in their lives.  He might not have taught them religion, but prepared the way.”

On the Cal Willie Senior Night, the Willie wrestlers did well to honor their brother and cousin, stepping up on the mat to win each of their matches.  Jack Willie at 98# had the first match of the night with his opponent from American Falls.  Jack was quick to attack, easily racking up points as he grappled on the mat and leading in the third period, 14-0.  With 19 seconds left, he managed to pin his opponent and take the win, starting off the night in a big way.

Jack’s big win was the first of many that night as both the Dragon and Lady Dragon wrestlers went up against their opponents from the Raft River, American Fals, and Oakley teams.  Winning with a pin against American Falls were Jack Willie (98#), Jace Potter (106#), Caden Jeppson (106#), Zach Mills (126#), and Sam Willie (132#). Blaiz Wright (182#) won with a pin against his opponent from Oakley.  

Against Raft River Malad wrestlers Ruxton Tubbs (152#), Dylan Moss (160#), Rydon Montgomery (170#) took the win in their matches with a pin.  The Lady Dragons swept their matches over the night.  Dezirae Haven, Cambree Howe and Rylee Neilson, with two matches, all took down their opponents with a pin.  Cale Carter and DanniLynn Chournos won in their extra matches as well.

At the conclusion of the night, head Coach Morrison said, “It was everything we could ask for in a senior night.  The kids wrestled tough for their home crowd that showed up to support their favorite wrestlers.  We have an amazing group of seniors that lead this team and we are grateful for the time we have had with them, they are great kids and awesome wrestlers.” 

Previously in the week, the Dragons traveled to Snake River to compete against North Fremont and Teton.  The Malad team came up on top against both their opponents, defeating North Fremont, 78-6, and Teton, 57-30.

The boys wrestling team looks to host the district tournament Friday the 17th, wrestling will begin at 10am.