CHS Welcomes New Wrestling Coaches

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Coach Mark Lovelace is the new Clinton High School head wrestling coach.
What is your background Coach? “I grew up in Adrian, MO, where I went to high school and competed in football, wrestling and track. I was All State in all three sports. I went on to college in Oskaloosa, IA, at William Penn University. I competed in wrestling for four years at the varsity level, achieving a varsity letter 4 times and was a national qualifier. From there I went on to coach five more seasons in Iowa High Schools placing three of those teams in the top 7 of class 2A. All together coaching a number of state qualifiers, 16 state medal winners and two Iowa State Champions.
I reside in Ballard with my wife, Stephanie, and two daughters, DarleyJo and Ellie.”
Other coaches? “Yes, Pam Mifflin is assisting me. She knows wrestling from the business side of things and will of course be helpful working with the girls. She helps a lot.”
How does the team look? “We are YOUNG! I think we have some talent, but we need to put in the work to have that talent shine. We have only one Senior. Jacob Allen and he is new to the sport.”
Coaching style?: “My coaching style is a basic one of grind pressure wrestling. I want to see moves hit to perfection and believe if you have the basics perfected you will be successful.”
Team Leadership? “Like I said, we are young, but one of the Juniors, Cole Hensley, has rose to the occasion and has become a solid leader for the coaches. Backing him is an experienced wrestler Junior Landon King and Freshman Amitria McNack.”
What are the challenges? “This team comes with a lot of challenges, but the ones that are staying with it are giving a strong effort day in and day out. I really do believe hard work is rewarded. I feel that the last few practices my wrestlers are showing sharpness on our moves and we are flowing through practice better. One of our biggest challenges is that we are not very experienced. No need to worry, the kids will get all the experience they need this season.”
What about the girls team? “This is my first season ever coaching a competitive girls team. That in itself has been quite an experience. First of all, we have two talented young ladies in Amitria McNack and Bailey Pack. McNack comes with an excellent resume of accomplishments, her most current is being ranked #25 in USA Wrestling's Top 25 high school girls at 144 pounds. Pack is showing a lot of signs of knowing the sport and she really works hard at learning more. Finally we have a new comer, McKenzey Dill. Dill is brand new to the sport but is working hard.”
“Coach Mifflin and I are excited to get the season started which is fast approaching on Dec. 1, at Sherwood.”