One of the problems many small schools go through is sort of an ebb and flow when it comes to success. Attracting teachers who coach wrestling is tough sometimes; maybe out west it isn't, but it is tough. And in many small districts, when good young teachers who coach do come in, they don't stay long, as the bigger money and opportunities of big schools attract them. Either that or they get tired of negative, meddling parents and say the heck with it.
Immaculata was on the verge of having it's program cut in 1997 before Coach Shea took it over; if he hadn't, it would not have been there. He and I managed to keep it alive for five more seasons, but then it finally ended. That has greatly saddened me, but it happens.
That's why I find bubowski's argument that Coach Weber and Coach Powers are seemingly conspiring to kill the program so far-fetched. From what I can tell, it's young, but it's alive and well. Are they the Norton Bluejays of Hoxie Indians just yet? Well of course not; don't be silly. Could they be a pretty good team in a few years? Absolutely.
Darren Weber and Chris Powers have given heart and soul to the Pleasant Ridge wrestling program for a long time now. They deserve better than to be chopped up here; much better than that.
