Meridian wrestler James Reedy-Capp knows a thing or two about dedication and commitment.
In order to attend wrestling practice, the Meridian senior leaves school every day and makes a 24 minute drive on East Smith Road and Highway 542 before he reaches Mount Baker High School.
If not having a wrestling program at one's school isn't difficult enough, Reedy-Capp has gone through four wrestling coaches in as many years. But, being a 195-pound wrestler and having the opportunity to wrestle with the likes of Alec Postlewait, Jake Larsen, Sterling Honeycutt and Tyrel Cronk at practice every day, Reedy-Capp has slowly grown fond of being an honorary member of the Mountaineers' wrestling team.
"Well, at first it was a little strange, because I was with Lynden last year," Reedy-Capp said in a phone interview. "We didn't know anybody beyond our own team. But, now our team is like one big family."
Mount Baker coach Ron Lepper, who oversees the Meridian wrestlers as well, said Reedy-Capp, the other Meridian wrestlers and the Mount Baker wrestlers have all mutually benefited from being able to work out and wrestle with one another.
"The thing I've really enjoyed about having James in the program is his willingness to learn," Lepper said in a phone interview. "He gives us another body, and it's helped him to be around upper weight guys. Wrestling with those guys every day, I've seen him get more confidence."
Last year, Reedy-Capp said Lynden didn't have any wrestlers in his weight class. He said being able to work with a stable of wrestlers around the same weight this season has really helped him hone his skills.
"For a while I would say I was more of a defensive wrestler," Reedy-Capp said. "But, I've been working on taking my shots and my confidence. I've really been working on my offense. Last year I didn't have anyone to wrestle with at Lynden. Jake Larsen is my partner this year."
After qualifying for the state tournament at regionals last weekend, Reedy-Capp is hoping the new skills he's learned in his time at Mount Baker will translate to increased success at the Mat Classic. He's also hoping a move from the heavyweight division, where Reedy-Capp wrestled in 2011, to the 195-pound weight class may work in his favor.
In 2011, Reedy-Capp made his first state appearance, but he was ousted before he could reach the medal rounds.
"Learning from last year, I can't underestimate opponents," Reedy-Capp said. "I wrestled against a freshman in the first round last year thinking it might be easy, but he kind of threw me around."
Reedy-Capp has a winnable first round match this year, but Lepper said he faces a tough match in the second round if he does, in fact, take care of his first round match.
Despite the result of his Mat Classic, Lepper said he has been thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Reedy-Capp, who has plans to join the Marines after high school.
"Well, I think it's a product of his upbringing at home," said Lepper, referring to Reedy-Capp's willingness to adjust to the obstacles that comes with being a Meridian wrestler. "His parents have done a great job with him. He's going into the Marine Corps, and I know he's going to be very successful. One morning, he had a physical training test, then made it right back to practice in the evening. I'm sure it was the same way with coach (Bob) Ames."
Reach Andrew Lang at andrew.lang@bellinghamherald.com or call 360-756-2862.
ON DECK
MAT CLASSIC XXIV
First session: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Friday, Feb. 17
Second session: 4-9:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 17
Third session: 10 a.m.-2:15 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 18
Championship matches: 5 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 18
Site: Tacoma Dome
FAVORITES
ALEC POSTLEWAIT, SR., MOUNT BAKER, 285
Postlewait has encountered little resistance this season, collecting plenty of dual meet wins and individual tournament titles. Postlewait used his unique blend of strength and agility to finish third at state last year and fifth in 2010. If the Mount Baker senior can keep the trend upward, he could be calling himself a state champion come Saturday night.
JEREMY KORTHUIS, SR., LYNDEN, 182
Korthuis is one of the few wrestlers in the state that has the chance to place in all four of his varsity seasons. The Lynden senior has tackled every obstacle opponents have thrown at him this year. Korthuis, who has been nursing a shoulder injury much of the year, will undoubtedly hold nothing back at state.
SHAYPHER HENDRICKS, SR., BLAINE, 145
There's no denying Hendricks' abilities. He has a tremendous amount of prior state experience and should have a good chance of navigating through his 152 pound bracket. Currently, he's ranked as the No. 2 wrestler in the state in Class 2A. But, Hendricks is hoping he can prove he's No. 1 when medals get handed out Saturday.
TANNER KLEMANN, SO., NOOKSACK VALLEY, 120
Klemman is an extremely sound wrestler for being just a sophomore, and the Nooksack Valley product has cruised through competition this year. He placed third at state as a freshman in 2011, but if he wants to take the top prize in 2012, he'll have to get past defending state champion Josh Crager of Cascade Christian.
NOLAN TAKEMURA, SR., BELLINGHAM, 126
Takemura has reached the Mat Classic all four seasons he's wrested for Bellingham. He's a veteran with good technical skill and possesses what it takes to become a state champion. Takemura has a solid draw as a No. 2 seed and shouldn't be significantly challenged until the semifinal round.
CONTENDERS
Andrew Peterson, Sr., Bellingham, 132
Dante Gray, Sr., Sehome, 182
Chloe Gardner, So., Nooksack Valley, 137
Caleb Johnson, Jr., Blaine, 195
Zach Larson, Jr., Mount Baker, 152
DARK HORSES
Tyrel Cronk, Jr., Mount Baker, 195
Jerrid George, Jr., Mount Baker, 160
James Reedy-Capp, Sr., Meridian, 195
Mike Antczak, Jr., Blaine, 285
Aysha Schwinden, Jr., Mount Baker, 195
ON TO STATE WRESTLING
Whatcom County wrestlers who qualified for the state championships on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 17-18, at the Tacoma Dome:
GIRLS
Wt. Wrestler School
100 Laura Torrero Mount Baker
118 Olivia Adams Blaine
124 Dani Mata Mount Baker
130 Megan Young Mount Baker
130 Kara Ebergson Squalicum
137 Lacy Cannon Mount Baker
137 Chloe Gardner Nooksack Valley
155 Rachel Hollinsworth Mount Baker
155 Kaela Piehler Mount Baker
170 Marissa Veliz Lynden
195 Alesha Cuny Lynden
195 Aysha Schwinden Mount Baker
265 Luisa Garcia Lynden
265 Susie Molioo Bellingham
265 Angela Mendez Mount Baker
CLASS 1A
Wt. Wrestler School
106 Michael Kippling Nooksack Valley
113 Taylor Gardner Nooksack Valley
120 Tanner Klemann Nooksack Valley
120 Troy Rathjen Meridian
126 Hunter Whittern Nooksack Valley
138 J.J. Hansen Meridian
152 Tyler Warner Nooksack Valley
160 Jesse O'Bryan Nooksack Valley
195 James Reedy-Capp Meridian
285 Nick Bourassa Nooksack Valley
CLASS 2A
Wt. Wrestler School
106 Kyle Gonzales Blaine
106 Riley Takemura Bellingham
113 Luke Jordan Squalicum
113 Zach Wallace Squalicum
113 Carsen Monaghan Mount Baker
120 Jake Knight Bellingham
126 Nolan Takemura Bellingham
132 Joey Walton Mount Baker
132 Andrew Peterson Bellingham
132 Nazar Bezugly Mount Baker
138 Zak Alter Squalicum
138 Justin Belding Blaine
138 Cody Thayer Mount Baker
145 Ryan Meggison Lynden
145 Shaypher Hendricks Blaine
152 Carson Eiswald Sehome
152 Zach Larson Mount Baker
160 Jerrid George Mount Baker
160 Zach Wilson Squalicum
170 Levi Wigg Mount Baker
182 Dante Gray Sehome
182 Jeremy Korthuis Lynden
182 Vlas Bezugly Mount Baker
195 Tyrel Cronk Mount Baker
195 Caleb Johnson Blaine
220 Sterling Honeycutt Mount Baker
220 Caleb Newman Lynden
285 Mike Antczak Blaine
285 Alec Postlewait Mount Baker
285 Jake Larsen Mount Baker
CLASS 3A
Wt. Wrestler School
120 Isaac Robison Ferndale
182 Sam Alexander Ferndale
220 Kam Williams Ferndale
SOURCE: WIAA.COM
