MRHS Wrestling Roundup

Mid-Season Report

By Austin Ramirez

Mountain Range's wrestling team is off to a hot start and a good feeling going into the mid way point of their season. With lots of ups and downs the Mustangs still expect a lot from this season with duels regionals and the state tournament coming up. 

Coach Jeff Harrington with 22 years of experience and head coach of the Mustangs with about 10 years with the team speaks on the season, “ I feel great about the season for sure, we've had a lot of ups and downs but i think we got a young group of guys that are developing pretty well” states Harrington. “ Sadly we've had a lot of injuries but we're gonna overcome those injuries, and I believe we're gonna have a very successful season. I'm certainly looking forward to a couple of my seniors that could place, as well as some of my juniors having an opportunity as well.”

Harrington also feels very strongly about being mid way through the season: “ Like I've said we've had some injuries and injuries are very common in our sport, so I do feel it's about the timing of getting these guys healthy and staying focused on what we can control. I do feel we are going in the direction of the program with our opportunities at the regional and state tournaments. It's definitely a process and we're right in the middle of that process but it's ultimately the right direction for the team.”

 Coach Harington states there are many standouts that he thinks can make it past regionals and place at state: “ Right now Christopher A is a two time state qualifier and one away from placing, but this year i feel very confident him in doing so, and with the opportunity for him to win the state title. Then we have our guy Leonardo H who is putting in a lot of time and effort which I think he has a wide open shot at qualifying and placing this year, with many others as well.”

Junior and Mustang wrestler Lawrence R gives his take on his season as well: “ I think we’re doing very well as a team, but we do have a lot of injuries going on. We're doing very well getting a lot of team points and winning matches. There's nothing I'd like to change about the season because we're doing good and learning new moves, and new techniques from different coaches. I'm hoping that we have some teammates qualify at regionals and place in the colorado state tournament."

Lawrence R gets antsy about the rest of the season stating, “ I feel great going into the second half of the season just trying to stay healthy and practice new moves, but also improving on the ones I've won a lot of my matches with. I feel like last year I held back a little bit but this year I'm gonna let loose and definitely try to place at regionals so I can make it to state and have a real shot at placing.”

Two time state qualifier and senior captain Christopher A explains how he feels about the season stating, “ I've been feeling great about the season for far, yeah I've lost some matches I probably should’ve won but I definitely think I had to knock some of that rust off from last season. My record this season is 16-8 and I'm definitely shooting to get at least 30 wins this season and hoping more come in regionals and the state tournament. I really do think this season is going to be good with it being my last. I'm gonna leave everything on the mat, teach the younger kids in the room and overall have no regrets.”

With the back end of the Mustangs season coming closer and closer to regionals wrestlers are preparing to make it to the top 4 at the tournament to punch their ticket into the state tournament. Many believe they can make it, but now it is on them to set the stage for themselves. 

Jeff Harrington: Deeper than Wrestling

By Heidi B

Jeffrey Harrington is a Mountain Range High School history teacher and Head coach of the Mountain Range High School Boys Wrestling, making time for both his wrestlers and his students.

Mr. Harrington has been a teacher at Mountain Range for 14 years and has coached wrestling for a number of years. He started coaching in his high school. Harrington has taught Criminal Justice and World History at Mountain Range. Since becoming a teacher at Mountain Range Harrington has taught, “U.S. History, Economics, Government, Sociology, and Psychology,” he states. Harrington is a wrestling coach because he was a wrestler himself and it helped him stand up to bullies he had and gave him confidence. He wants this to happen for the kids he is coaching.

Harrington gets a lot of help on the side for the job, too.  He says he uses teacher assistants that help him grade assignments. “Sundays are very important for me to get grading done and plan out for the month.”  As far as his own family goes, he adds, “My wife does so much for our family during this time and is always there for our kids' activities while I'm coaching during the season.:

Harrington states that the wrestling team has won 3 duals and placed second at the JV Lakewood tournament. They have also had many individual placers at tournaments, claiming, “We’ve had a decent and successful season so far.” He is hoping the wrestling team will accomplish a couple state places. There are a couple seniors like Chris A., who has been one away from placing two years in a row. Leo H., another senior, has an opportunity to become a state placer as well. Harrington is really excited about the future of the wrestling program because there are a lot of young wrestlers going on their verge of becoming really successful. “Its the growth of the program… we are getting ready to getting back to where we used to be, top ten in the state.” 

“I love to watch kids grow and develop as athletes and individuals building life skills in their lives,” he proclaims. Wrestling is a really good opportunity for people to try and discover new skills they never knew they had. “Most people who try wrestling surprise themselves and discover they actually do like the sport. You learn to gain patience with yourself. It’s one of the most rewarding sports.”

Coach Harrington is also convinced that anybody and everyone can do wrestling. “I absolutely recommend wrestling… It's one of those things that if you have the courage to try it you are going to have more courage in life.”