Training never stops

PINELLAS WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: Wes Walker's season may be over, but he's still prepping for the future.

By C.J. RISAK
Published March 19, 2005

Best in the county. It's an annual honor bestowed singularly, presented to the best wrestler in Pinellas County, one that encompasses all weight divisions, all classes of competition.

Countryside's Wes Walker earned that distinction this season without debate.

So what was this senior honor student with a 4.0-plus GPA, who is headed to Harvard in the fall, doing when told of his award?

Was he still recovering from the long season, relishing the multitude of medals and trophies he had won?

Not really.

Walker was in St. Louis at the NCAA Wrestling Tournament, watching a couple of future teammates from Harvard.

And though some might consider scouting to be overstated, Walker will remember what he sees at the NCAAs, filing it away in his memory for future use.

He doesn't dwell on the past, other than to evaluate how it can help him in the future.

That is why it should come as no surprise that, when asked what was the highlight of a season full of highlights - Walker was 45-2 in the 160-pound division, finishing second in the state to nationally-ranked Rocky Cozart of Brandon - he replied:

"My finals match because that was the culmination of my season, even though I lost. I definitely accomplished a lot, but you always look back and remember the big matches."

Both of Walker's losses came against Cozart, the second in the much-anticipated state final.

"He caught me with a good move," Walker said. "I lost to a great wrestler."

It was an answer his coach at Countryside, Lewis Curtwright, anticipated.

"If anything, it was a learning experience for him, a step toward analyzing things," he said.

And it was how Walker challenged himself mentally that separated him from other good wrestlers.

"He has an ability to adapt to any situation," Curtwright said. "Others are one-dimensional. Wes is multi-dimensional. If one thing doesn't work, he immediately goes to the next, and it's a very smooth transition. He immediately adapts."

His move to NCAA wrestling will be a major adjustment, but Walker already is planning for it.

His attitude and preparation will carry Walker a long way, or so his former coach believes.

"I'll be surprised if he isn't an All-American," Curtwright said.

[Last modified March 19, 2005, 01:02:12]