Peninsula wrestler Nolan Casey eyes title at Mat Classic

Nolan Casey is on a revenge campaign.

A year ago, the then-junior Casey qualified for the Mat Classic at the Tacoma Dome, and placed third in the state.

That wasn’t enough for the Peninsula wrestler, and it surely isn’t enough now.

So going into his season, Casey’s goals were clear: take regionals, and head to the state championship with one spot on the podium in mind.

The top one.

Peninsula Coach Gary Griffin said Casey’s goal-setting and focus has made the difference, which thus far has included a 32-5 regular season record and dominant victory at the regional championships in Spokane.

“[Nolan] has a singular focus, especially this year and how last year ended, being so close to getting to where he wanted to be,” Griffin said. “I think his goals were really clear this year. They weren’t last year… I think his goal was to win a state title last year as well. After a third-place finish, that just solidifies (the idea of) ‘hey, maybe I’ve got to put in a little more work.’ I think he’s done that in his work ethic and mindset of what he wants to get.”

And despite Casey’s dominance as a wrestler, he’s also a decorated linebacker at Peninsula, and led the team in tackles just months ago in a season that featured a 7-0 league record and a 3A SSC title.

According to Casey, there’s quite a difference in the training and approach to football in comparison to wrestling.

“In football, you’re going for big. In wrestling, you’re going for quality,” Casey said.

They both, however, teach an important quality in two, physical sports — toughness.

“In football, you get beat up after games,” Casey said. “You have to pull yourself back up before you can get back. If you get beat up in wrestling, you have to pull yourself back up before you can go out. [I’ve learned] to play through the pain.”

Alongside Casey at the regional tournament last weekend were seven Seahawk wrestlers, including his brother, Emmett, who qualified as an alternate.

After winning that tournament — in dominating fashion, according to Griffin — Casey heads to the Tacoma Dome with Brock Allen and Luke Golden, who both prevailed in the regional gauntlet to qualify for state.

Now, for Casey, it’s go time.

The regional champion’s mindset is simple.

“It’s just another tournament,” Casey said. “If you (worry) yourself, you’re going to panic and not wrestle you. Thankfully, I’ve been able to see some of the guys that we face earlier this year, so you can practice that during the week and really work on certain positions. In the end … you’ve got to beat the guy in front of you.”

Last year, Casey took third at the state championship. But his older brother, Isaac, was also a team captain and senior leader.

This year, that honor — and responsibility — fell to Nolan.

Griffin and Casey had preparatory discussions heading into this season about that responsibility. Now, Griffin admires Casey’s ability to lead and mentor the younger wrestlers.

“[Nolan’s] a great leader,” Griffin said. “He leads by example. There’s no ‘I’m a senior, do as I tell you’ going on. That’s helpful. Kids want to follow guys who are engaging, as well.”

There’s one more tournament left for Casey in his high school career. Since last year’s Mat Classic, Casey has eyed the top spot on the podium.

No matter the finish, Griffin knows Casey’s success has been no accident.

“Nolan’s been wrestling for a long time,” Griffin said. “There’s no shortcuts to how you’re going to get good at something. Wrestling has helped him on the mat and on the football field, but as a young man as well. I think that’s important.”

This story was originally published February 18, 2020 at 6:00 AM.