"Three amigos" lead the way at Bay Port

SUAMICO - It’s been a big year for the Bay Port wrestling program. They won their third straight conference title and their first ever team trip to state.

They'll have 11 competitors at sectionals this weekend with a trio of seniors leading the way.

Having your hand raised in victory 100 times, is a milestone few high school wrestlers reach in their career. Bay Port has five who've hit the plateau, including all 3 varsity members of the senior class.

Garrett Heder, the Pirates 285 pounder is one of those seniors. Heder said the success dates back to the technique taught to them at the middle school level.

The group has matured into dynamos on the mate. "Together us 3 amigos, the three freshmen from the very beginning, we have over 400 combined total wins. It's really special," Heder said.

Alex Blaney owns more than 150 wins all by himself. He added, "It's pretty cool. I mean everybody that got it earned it."

Brad Shefchik has been the head coach at Bay Port for a decade and said that the success of his seniors sets a standard for the rest of his team. "It sets a model for the rest of the kids and the rest of the team that hey isn't unreachable,” Shefchik said.  “It's a goal that everybody can get to."

Alex Walla, the third member of the triumvirate, told me that being able to share individual milestone with his teammates makes it all the more special.

"It's good for our program. It proves that we push each other,” Walla said.  “If one person has it, it means they're working hard but the more people that have it, it feels like each person is pushing each other and getting them better."

Shefchik agreed that the individual success is a testament to the overall quality of the team. "The biggest thing is depth and having depth in your program and having those quality kids that are pushing the top kids and as a result you're able to do some special things and they proved that this year.”

The next step for the trio is the sectional meet. The top 2 finishers in each weight class at the sectional advance to the state tournament. Walla said this is just the next step for the team.

"Our coaches always tell us at the beginning of the year is to make it there as a team but also to make it as an individual,” Walla said. “We made it there as a team now our goal this weekend is to make it individually."

Blaney is attempting to reach state for the third time and said, “You've just got to treat every match like it's the state finals. You can't over look anybody."

Garrett Heder said the key is not adding any additional internal pressure. "It's not anything different from a regular tournament week or duel week. You've just got to go out there and shine."