It takes a special kind of dude to want to wrestle. Its one of those sports, that if you have tried it, there is not middle ground. You either love it or you hate it. I am one of the former. Its some serious stuff in Oklahoma, where I grew up. I still remember the days of wearing trash bags to cut weight. There was nothing like being on the mat… ONE on ONE.
Tonight’s lone inductee is definitely, one that loved it. Not only Loved it, he excelled in it. He is among the most accomplished to ever put on a Reeds Spring singlet.
Zach Kearney, was a 130 lbs freshman. Wrestling was in his blood. His dad, and assistant coach, Dan, worked with him from a young age. I remember visiting their home, years ago, and seeing the “wrestling room”. Dan, himself, was a successful grappler, having placed at State, as a prep wrestler in Iowa, where Wrestling is a way of life. And although Zach, had success early, he even was a state qualifier as a sophomore, it was his Junior year that saw him skyrocket. He had transformed his body and was now wrestling in the 220 lbs class.
He was not just wrestling, he was excelling. He was 43-2 going into the State Tournament. After two pins and a medical forfeit victory he defeated his Kyle Cook, from Boonville, 5-4 to take the state championship. He jumped into his fathers arms in celebration.
A year later, he was back to defend his crown. Again, he had only been defeated twice in the entire season. This time he was even more dominant. No one went the distance with him at the State Tournament.
He became the only back to back Champion in school history. And to this day, stands as the only Reeds Spring athlete to have a pair of Individual State Titles.
