Michael Blackcrow Pushes on Despite a Short Season of Practice

With about 10 years of experience wrestling and having just dealt with regionals, Michael Blackcrow said this has been one of his toughest seasons yet.

The tough season is due to dealing with the changes COVID has brought to his final year of wrestling, but he hasn’t let that stop him from pushing forward.

“Dealing with COVID has been different from what I’m used to, but I’m always prepared to react to what comes next,” Blackcrow said.

Coach Matt Kennedy agreed that this hasn’t stopped Blackcrow or the rest of the team from giving their all despite the short amount of time they’ve had to practice this year.

“It has been a difficult season in the fact we haven’t been able to have a full season,” said Kennedy. “Regardless of that, these guys haven’t let that be an excuse. They’re using it as extra motivation.”

On top of dealing with the effects of COVID-19, Blackcrow has also had to figure out a way to balance school and wrestling.

Doing so hasn’t been too tough on him, however, as Blackcrow said Kennedy makes sure that his wrestlers have their grades in mind.

“Michael has wrestled pretty good these last few weeks prior to regionals. We haven’t had a bunch of matches to gauge exactly how much improvement we’ve had prior to regionals,” Kennedy said. “But I feel like Michael is doing what he needs to do as an individual and as a leader for our team prior to regionals.”

Blackcrow’s latest endeavor has been competing in regionals last week where Kennedy said he won some good matches.

“We were hoping to get him to the state tournament, but he went up against a tough kid in the end,” Kennedy said. “Micahel’s been a tough kid since junior high. He has the work effort of a champ and I’m proud of the work he’s done.”

In order to prepare for the event, Blackdrow said that he and his team had been cleaning up their skills and working to better their shape before getting out on the mat.

Getting to regionals, as well as continuing his wrestling career for the past 10 years, hasn’t been a singular journey for Blackcrow.

His team has been with him every step of the way, and for that reason, Blackcrow draws his inspiration from his teammates.

“My team continues to push me and other teammates forward,” Blackcrow said.

When it’s all been said and done and Blackcrow takes a break from wrestling, he enjoys spending his free time hanging out with his friends and getting to watch other sports compete.