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| Clay, wrestling sensei. Photo by Jin Yup Jung '14. Copyright Red Cloud Indian School. |
The Guru of the Mat: The Clay Leonard Story
By Jin Yup Jung'14.
There are some students who puff out hot humid air and work out harder and harder in a sweat everyday. These warriors believe that the beads of sweat they wipe off everyday will help them as they prepare for battle. They are at the weight room for the rest of their lives. These are your Red Cloud High School wrestling students for 2013-2014.
Wrestling is the one of the hardest winter sports. Wrestlers are supposed to be prepared already or get in shape if they do not want to lose. Many high school students would rather play basketball than wrestle, although it depends on the school. However, many students believe that wrestling is harder than other sports physically and mentally; it requires so much work. Nevertheless, the reason most wrestlers do not quit during the wrestling season is that they enjoy their feeling of accomplishment during wrestling matches.
Wrestling is the one of the hardest winter sports. Wrestlers are supposed to be prepared already or get in shape if they do not want to lose. Many high school students would rather play basketball than wrestle, although it depends on the school. However, many students believe that wrestling is harder than other sports physically and mentally; it requires so much work. Nevertheless, the reason most wrestlers do not quit during the wrestling season is that they enjoy their feeling of accomplishment during wrestling matches.
The Red Cloud Wrestling team, led by Clay Leonard, is almost ready to face the first wrestling meet, and they will battle with each other in practice in the hopes of accomplishing their goals. They look to qualify for state and win in the South Dakota state tournament.
Also, this year is a honor for Clay because he is entering his 26th year at Red Cloud. Clay learned wrestling in high school in Colorado from Coach Bob Smith, who was a two-time national wrestling coach of the year. Smith won eleven team state championships in his 33 years as a high school coach and went on to coach in college.
Clay started coaching as a freshman in high school with fourth graders and coached them for three years. He moved on to coach during his college years, both in Colorado and in Rushville. He was a youth coach during his years along with being a high school assistant coach at Rushville for four years. This was before he came to Red Cloud. The students who Clay coached have went on to do much good work on the mat. This includes eight team state championships (two in Colorado, six at Rushville), multiple individual champions and place winners, and even a college national champion.
Clay started coaching as a freshman in high school with fourth graders and coached them for three years. He moved on to coach during his college years, both in Colorado and in Rushville. He was a youth coach during his years along with being a high school assistant coach at Rushville for four years. This was before he came to Red Cloud. The students who Clay coached have went on to do much good work on the mat. This includes eight team state championships (two in Colorado, six at Rushville), multiple individual champions and place winners, and even a college national champion.
One of the things that Clay enjoys the most about coaching is the seeing the joy on his wrestler’s faces when they get that first win and they know that they did it themselves. The confidence that they have in themselves is great for them.
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