Champions are made in the off season.
These are the words that drive the most dedicated of athletes, those with the ultimate goal of a trip to the state tournament. For several Lakeland and Milford wrestlers this summer is booked with rigorous workouts, daily mat time, exposure to outstanding clinicians, technique and conditioning camps, and the opportunity to travel as part of Team Red Rocket. Leading the team are coaches Mario Flores, Eric Moon and Stan Granger. All exceptional technicians themselves, the wrestlers of Team Red Rocket gain invaluable experience while training under these men. Recently the boys made their second annual trek to Big Bear Arena in St. Ignace to compete in the Northern Exposure Duels. Representing Lakeland were John Conte, Dominic Paterra, and Jake Sokoll. Milford wrestlers included Tyler Lovelace and Chris Adams. As wrestling tournaments tend to be, the day was long with both wins and losses and the competition significantly improved from last year. Coach Flores, along with Coaches Moon and Granger, stressed to their squad the benefit of facing high caliber wrestlers and the teaching opportunities it presents. In the coming weeks several of the kids will once again hit the road with coach Flores to compete at the Grand River Rumble in Battle Creek. Until then, Coach Flores
will keep them focused on training, becoming stronger both mentally and physically. If you happen to see them in the gym, you might hear coach remind them that "it has to be hard, iron sharpens iron".
All photos courtesy of Lauri Rowley of Double Exposure Photography.
