“Without me, this program could pretty much run itself.”
That is the reason why first-year Camp Verde High School head wrestling coach Tracy Tudor feels just as excited about this season as he has each of the previous 10 seasons, when he was an assistant coach to CVHS principal Bob Weir.
“It’s that good of a program,” said Tudor, CVHS sports medicine and auto shop teacher who was named Weir’s successor after the Cowboys won Weir’s sixth and final state crown
Feb. 15. “Several assistants here have just built a great environment for wrestling.”
One of the best in the state, as Tudor and defending state champion wrestlers Ryan Allred, Alex Casillas and Hayden Uhler seek to reaffirm beginning Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 2:30 p.m., when the Cowboys open competition against Morenci High School and six other teams at home.
“We’re a brotherhood,” Tudor said. “It’s just as exciting as it’s always been. There’s a few nitpicky things as far as submitting paperwork that’s a part I’m not used to, but as far as in the wrestling room, there’s no difference.”
Defending freshmen state champions Casillas and Matt Mejia are back in the fold, along with 113-pound sophomore and two-time Freak Show winner Uhler and senior Ryan Allred — who, at 152 pounds, is looking for his fourth state title in four years.
“I’ve been around the program for 10 years, and this has been probably one of the most focused group of kids I’ve ever seen,” Tudor said. “That’s a testament to Coach Weir and just the program Camp Verde has built. We’ve got seven state championship contenders.”
For the full story and Camp Verde High School schedule of wrestling meets, please see the Wednesday, Nov. 19, issue of the Camp Verde Journal.
