Wrestling with expectations

Freshman Thatcher Spiering made the All State Wrestling team. His coach Jared Mason said it has been several years since a freshman made All State, the last to make it was Decker Hubbs.

“The sky is the limit,” Mason said of Spiering’s wrestling ability. “He loves to wrestle and would do it 365 days a year I think, if he could.”

That type of drive and determination is what it takes to be successful, Mason said. “The kids who are like this are state champions and go on to wrestle in college.”

Spiering, who discovered he made All State on the Monday following the state meet, where he earned second, said he was happy.

Spiering has been wrestling for 10 years. He said what he likes best is the sense of achievement he gets from wrestling.

Spiering said he was “bummed” about his second- place finish, but it has motivated him to have a lot of fire, work harder and get the championship next year.

What Spiering finds challenging is the mental awareness on the mat, he said “You are all alone on the mat and you have to be mentally tough.”

“I did a lot better than I thought I would,” Spiering said of his first year in high school wrestling.

Spiering said he believes his freshman year has prepared him for what is to come for the next three years. “It gave me the winning side of wrestling and I want to keep on that side.”

Mason said he believes Spiering has the potential to be another multi-year state champion.

“I hate to put that type of pressure on him, but the work ethic is there, the drive is there … he is always wanting to learn. Those are intangibles you can’t coach,” Mason said.

Spiering has the right attitude and the right physical attributes for wrestling, Mason said. “He is just a joy to coach.”