Big Elk wrestler qualifies to state

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Published on Wednesday, 22 February 2012 11:37

Dylan Pollard places third at regionals in Anadarko

Mary Loveland
Daily Elk Citian

Big Elk wrestling is sending a worthy senior to the State Tournament this year at the Oklahoma City State Fair Grounds Arena.

Six Elk City wrestlers competed at regionals in Anadarko this past weekend and Dylan Pollard placed third, qualifying him for state, but it didn’t come easily.

Only two matches into the tournament, Pollard lost to an opponent from Cushing, who later went on to place second at the regional competition.

“I lost my second match at the tournament so I had to win four straight just to get third,” Pollard said. 

And he did exactly that.

“I went 5-1,” he said.

During regionals, Pollard competed against wrestlers from Piedmont, Cushing, Weatherford, Anadarko, Madill and Woodward, respectively.

“My last match for third and fourth was against Hayden Applebee from Woodward,” Pollard said. “I went 10-7.”

This season, Pollard has a record of 17-2, giving him a fairly good chance of placing at state, he said.

“He’s just a true competitor and he’s never going to quit,” Kevin Mincher, ECHS head wrestling coach, said. “It doesn’t matter if he’s up or down, he’s going to fight to a win.”

Pollard, who has qualified for state before as a freshman in Mangum, said it takes more than a few hours at practice a day to reach state level competition.

“To be a good wrestler, you can’t just rely on practice,” Pollard said. “After school and after work I would go and run two miles every night. It just takes a lot of work ethic and your head and heart have to be in it.”

Pollard moved to Elk City last year. Because of transfer rules, Pollard was unable to compete in varsity wrestling and was unable to wrestle at regionals for another chance at state.

“I think he could have very well qualified last year as well,” Mincher said.

Aside from focusing on his goals, Pollard said he also had added responsibilities as a senior on the team.

“I had to push myself and be a leader as well,” Pollard said. “I had to make sure everybody was going 120% like I was.”

During last week and continuing into this week, Pollard has had the opportunity to practice with other area state qualifiers from Hobart and Cordell.

The three teams are meeting in Clinton for the workouts.

“It’s showing me more of what I’m going to have to wrestle,” Pollard said. “It’s giving me an idea of what I’ll need to look forward to.”

Pollard is set to face second place finisher from the East Regional, Dakota Petree, from Sallisaw High School in his first match at state.

“My ultimate goal is to place at state so I just have to keep my head up and keep going for it and keep pushing myself,” Pollard said.

Mincher said they will be taking it one match at a time.

Other wrestling team members that competed at regionals include Aaron Cromer, who placed 5th, Hunter Christian, Cody Williamson and Gavyn Smith.