Unending dedication

PINELLAS COACH OF THE YEAR

By C.J. RISAK
Published March 19, 2005

Marc Allison's value to the Dunedin wrestling team can be found in the weeks leading up to the state tournament.

Allison needed a hernia operation. After consulting with his doctor, he put it off until after the season.

"We had some kids working very hard to achieve some goals, and I couldn't miss that," he said.

In other words, they had sacrificed and so would he.

The Falcons have improved dramatically in Allison's two seasons as coach. This year they finished no lower than second in a tournament until the Class 2A regionals. In dual meets, they posted a 13-8 record.

But Allison cherished the program numbers.

"We finished the year with 28 kids," he said, a number he believes will grow and help his team become a power beyond Pinellas County.

There were other accomplishments. "We have a good group of young kids who are stepping up," he said.

And that means a change in attitude.

"In looking back, the demeanor of the kids after that first great performance at a tournament (was the biggest difference)," Allison said.

"The kids expected to win as a team. Before, they were just content to win as individuals because they figured they weren't going to win as a team."

[Last modified March 19, 2005, 01:01:18]