Marathon athletes will step onto the wrestling mat for the first time this winter, under the capable guidance of Ken Wolfe, their newly-hired head coach. The wrestling program will mark an athletic milestone for the Fins, offering a chance to experience one of the oldest and most challenging sports available at the high-school level.
Wolfe brings both experience and a passion for wrestling to eager Dolphin athletes who showed up for a meeting last spring. That meeting was attended by over a dozen hopefuls, and since then, many more have come to Wolfe with questions and to express interest. A state-qualifying wrestler himself who captained his high school team in Michigan, Wolfe will begin teaching the team the fundamentals from the ground up.
“Some of the goals for this year are to teach the sport, focusing on the fundamentals and to show the life lessons one can get from the sport,” said Wolfe. “Wrestling is a unique sport in that it’s set up as a team sport (and) an individual sport. It’s just you and an opponent. Win or lose, it’s all on you.”
Athletic director Lance Martin agreed with the advantages of wrestling for Marathon’s small pool of athletes.
“Wrestling is great for our students that aren’t into team sports,” he said. “Much like weightlifting, you are part of a team, but what you put into it as an individual dictates your season and advancement through the postseason.”
The program is open to Marathon’s middle and high school athletes. Girls wrestling officially kicks off in Florida Nov. 3. A week later, the boys can begin official practices. The school has secured a wrestling room and mat for the program, but Wolfe says he is looking for help from the community to assist with coaching and financial support for things the team may need in the near future. If you’re interested in offering support, you can reach out to Wolfe via Instagram or Facebook at Marathon High School Wrestling.
