When Brook West started wrestling in 6th grade, she was the only girl on the Comanche wrestling team. Flash forward six years later and the 2X state champion and 3X state placer excitedly enters her senior year with a room full of teammates! In fact, Head Coach Casy Rowell says that not only are the numbers way up, but they will fill all 14 weights this year. That is very impressive growth for any school, but even more remarkable considering Comanche in one of the smaller Girls Class 5A teams.
A recent trip to Comanche found a passionate head coach, an outstanding staff and a roomful of wrestlers working hard to get ready for the season. Those things were not too surprising. Well, I was surprised to see how large the girls team had become. But the real surprise was the impressive wrestling facilities for a school that has 244 students in the top four grades.
Photos by Mark Kirk
Comanche has had a successful program since starting wrestling in 1976 and the school, community, and booster club have been big in supporting the program. Based on that support, I was expecting a nice wrestling room but was not expecting an entire building and old practice gymnasium used only for wrestling. Plenty of mat space, workout area, Honor Roll Wall, weight room, cardio room, ropes, and even an imposing rock-climbing wall. All very impressive! Check out the video to see a tour of the facilities.
Both the boys and girls teams practice at the facility and Coach Rowell is very thankful for the amazing space they have. During the tour of the facility, Rowell noted that, while it is amazing, it is not enough for the future growth of the program.
