Medical Lake wrestler gets chance to lead
Many times in sports, victory can be achieved through defeat. In the case of Medical Lake High School wrestler Ty Souders, he’s hoping that can be the case.
The Cardinals senior is the only returning Medical Lake wrestler who traveled to the state wrestling tournament last season. Souders failed to place after being pinned in a match he was leading 4-1. The experience gained is something he hopes to learn and build from coming into his final season.
“I don’t think I really adjusted to it,” said Souders about his trip to state. “I think I got excited and caught up in all of it, but I did kind of wrestle solid. It did help. It was more experience under my belt and I just know what to expect this year.”
After making the state trip at 135 pounds as a junior last season, Souders is moving up to 145 pounds this year.
“During the summer, our coach basically had us in the weight room a few times a week,” said Souders. “In the fall, I ran cross-country too, so I feel like I’m stronger. I worked on my feet a lot more as far as wrestling goes. I worked a little more from top to bottom, too. I basically drill a lot. I drill the same move over and over and over and perfect it. You do it so much to where you’re not thinking and doing it by yourself.”
“He works hard,” said Medical Lake head coach Sam Petersen. “He’s probably the hardest working kid we have on our team, and he’s the most successful so far. That’s nice to see that the kid that works the hardest has the most success. The other kids read into that. We don’t want someone who’s successful and doesn’t do the right things. Kids are going to say you can get by, by making bad choices. It’s nice to have someone who does the right things.”
Souders’ dedication to training is a major reason he will be counted on to lead the young Medical Lake team.
“We have a lot of new people,” said Souders. “We’re a young team. It’s basically hard work, and in practice, make sure people are going about things the right way.”
Souders also runs cross-country and track for the Cardinals, but finds wrestling satisfying in a different way.
“I like the intensity, the challenge, and I liked that it taught you a lot of discipline as far as making weight, eating the right foods and working out hard,” Souders said.
Physically, Souders looks ready to make a further advance at state. Mentally, the senior is working to take the next step to the winner’s podium.
“He just has to mentally get over the hump,” said Petersen. “He’s got all the physical tools. He’s just got to mentally challenge himself to take it in there and mix it up a little more.” Win or lose on the mat though, Souders is already a winner with his team.
“I’ve never heard anything but positive things about him.” Petersen said. “He’s bright, articulate and has a good head on his shoulders. He’s never vindictive or mean to anybody. If one of his teammates is having a hard time, he’ll go over and sit down by him and try to help him out. With younger kids, he tries to help them out with the rules. He’s just a good kid. We’d like 30 or 40 of him in the room.”