PREP WRESTLING: Strong start

Spring Valley team promising though school is young

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Despite its young age, Spring Valley High School is building up a strong wrestling program that could challenge the traditional powers in the valley.

The Grizzlies are off to a fast start in only their third year of existence under head coach Fred Meyer. As of Jan. 12 the team is 18-7 this season after finishing 24-8 last year, second in the Sunset Region's Southwest Division.

Meyer believes his Grizzlies have a good chance of improving on last year's accomplishments.

"This year is looking good," he said. "We feel like we are the favorite at this point to win the division."

Standouts on the team include senior Sam Winstead, who already has 30 wins this year and placed in regionals last season; junior Colton McFadden, who has notched many clutch wins for the team; and junior Jerry Wu, who made the finals of the recent Las Vegas Wildcat Rumble.

While they have achieved many individual accomplishments, the Spring Valley wrestlers know they can't go far without a full team effort.

"The bottom line is we are a team. We are a good team," Meyer said. "We are bringing it at every weight class and are going to put out a solid wrestler who is not going to beat himself and put himself in a bad situation."

Along with facing other top schools in the region such as Bishop Gorman and Bonanza, the Grizzlies have their eye on other upcoming meets, including one in Mojave, Ariz., and a 32-team tournament in Victor Valley, Calif.

One reason the team is performing well is its rigorous training schedule, which includes the entire school year and part of the summer break for some student-athletes.

Meyer said while there is a lot of work involved, he still makes it fun.

"I get these kids going," he said. "If we did all of this training and didn't get any results, then it would only be me and one other kid in the room."

With their early success, the Grizzlies' community is starting to take notice, with more and more students turning out for Spring Valley meets.

Meyer said the team has helped the athletic program begin to grow.

"I really believe the wrestling team is the catalyst at this school for all the sports teams," he said. "These kids believe."

Spring Valley will be back in action Thursday in a meet at division rival Durango High School.