Year four of Graham Eagles’ plan

It probably wasn’t as easy as the Graham-Kapowsin Eagles have made it look.

Yes, the Eagles’ wrestling program has gone from non-existent to perennial state power in three years. Yes, Graham-Kapowsin challenged for the Class 4A state team title in its third year of existence, falling 51/2 points short of Lake Stevens at the Tacoma Dome in March to finish second.

And yes, the Eagles are considered one of the teams that could compete for that title in 2009.

But it wasn’t easy. Not really.

“The first year or two, we had trouble getting them to buy into what we wanted to do,” Graham-Kapowsin coach Scott Stirts said. “Last year was our first group of seniors. There were no leaders ahead of them, but they became good leaders. That made a big difference.”

Of the 10 wrestlers Stirts took to Mat Classic a year ago, four were part of the first senior class in the school’s history. That means six state participants return this season as the Eagles attempt to take the next step.

Having finished second, there is only one place left to go.

One of those returners, senior Tyler Story, knows that all too well.

Story improved on his fourth-place finish at state as a sophomore when he got to the championship match at 160 pounds in March. But Story’s tale mirrored that of his team, as he fell just short of winning the title after a 7-6 loss to Tahoma’s Nick Bayer.

But like the rest of his team, that loss motivates Story.

“I came so close last year. I’ll always have that feeling,” Story said. “And our team was so close. I know how it feels to get close and not make it. This year, we know we have to work that much harder.”

In an individual sport like wrestling, Graham-Kapowsin nevertheless talks about team goals. Stirts points to a scene in the Tacoma Dome last spring to illustrate the point.

His 152-pound senior, Brad Sweet, won an individual championship but then simply walked off the mat. Sweet was one of the Eagles’ senior leaders, along with Jack Miller, Alex Barley and Ryan Johnson.

“When he won, he didn’t even celebrate,” Stirts said. “This (was) a group of guys that (was) always watching out for the team. He simply went up to Tyler (Story) and told him it was his turn, to go get it.”

It’s that kind of leadership Stirts sees as foundational for his Graham-Kapowsin program. The Eagles, who have a 5-1 record in dual meets, hope to continue the trend.

“It’s the way they talk, what they’re trying to accomplish, in the practice room every day that says that,” Stirts said. “They talk about team goals every day. You can see the start of something pretty cool here.”

Just how did Stirts and his assistants do this at Graham-Kapowsin?

Stirts said the community helps. The area has a solid wrestling base helped by two or three successful club programs and a strong junior high program.

Then there is the buy-in factor among the Eagles themselves.

“We set up the program where a kid can be successful constantly,” Stirts said. “We talk about that discipline, being self-disciplined as kids. And that goes for scholastics, everything.”

It’s a long way from the first year of the program, when only a few wrestlers turned out and Stirts constantly had to fill holes in his lineup. But then came last year’s run.

“I think it really helped us,” Story said. “A whole bunch of people didn’t think we would make it. We were the darkhorse last year.”

Now Graham-Kapowsin is a power.