Marck wrestles his way to state tournament

As of this writing, Lightridge Wrestling team captain Nick Marck is dominating the competition with 45 wins and only one loss.

Marck, a senior, has been wrestling since the first grade, when his sister was introduced to the sport.

 “She went in and she enjoyed it, me being a little brother I wanted to do it too,” said Marck. Although he participated in other sports such as track and lacrosse, Nick wasn’t very successful.

“ I kind of sucked at it,” said Marck, referring to his efforts in other athletic endeavors.

That isn’t a problem with wrestling, where Marck  is extremely successful. Marck placed fourth at the state tournament last season and currently boasts an impressive undefeated run of 26-0. 

When asked about his success, Nick attributed his talent for wrestling to his support system.

 “I’ve always had a lot of people around me where we know who the hard workers are and we group up with them,” said Marck.

As the captain, Marck says it is important to balance both the team and your individual wrestling. Wrestling is an individual sport, but Marck said he tries to lead his teammates through his example. 

 “Although it’s only you and your opponent on the mat, your team is still there,” said Marck. “I’m not always gonna have the best advice for them, but if I just do my best it’ll seep down to them.”

William Marck, Nick’s father and the Lightridge wrestling team’s head coach, agreed with his son and star wrestler’s assessment. 

“While it looks like it’s an individual sport there is a strong team component,” said Coach Marck.  “You are a partner with somebody else, so your effort is helping them. You are helping them get better in the matches and win meets.”

 “Wrestling is a sport that everyone can do, as long as you have the right mentality you can succeed,” said Nick Marck, and then added that some of his favorite wrestlers embody this idea.

 “Adonis Laddamore, he last year won states in 6a. He has no legs at all,” said Marck. “His work ethic is unbelievable and he doesn’t care what other people think.”

Marck will compete in this year’s state championship tournament in mid-February.