The Macomb High girls wrestling program enters a new season for the first time without Kelly Ladd.
The four-time state qualifier graduated this past spring, leaving behind a program that was started for her back in 2021.
Mikaela Mwangong, who became the second Bomber girl to qualify for state last season, also graduated.
But the MHS program is moving forward under first-year head coach Curt Myers.
Myers was a two-time state champion for Macomb High in the 215-pound class in Class 1A back in 2007 and 2008.
Myers served as an assistant last season under Tony Westen.
“I’m pretty excited,” said Myers of the opportunity to become head coach.
Myers was away from the sport for some time when his daughter Avery (Lundgren) pulled him back in.
“She showed some interest in wrestling and I started working with her,” he said.
Lundgren is now a senior, and along with Dru Hyde, look to lead the program forward.
Lundgren and Maria Hernandez, who also returns, were sectional qualifiers a year ago.
“We’re teaching them the basics right now and looking to make them masters of it,” he added.
Myers noted that working with this generation is different from his school days.
“Kids are a little different than when we were in school,” he said. “You have to encourage them in a little different way.”
“You have to keep them motivated and keep them focused on what they’re doing.”
He notes that to love wrestling means to embrace its challenges.
“There’s no easy days,” said Myers. “The more you learn to love the pain and the suffering of it, the better you’ll be.”
He mentioned a quote from wrestling legend Dan Gable. “Once you wrestle, everything in life is easy.” “It’s true,” said Myers. “You’re going to go through some hard times in your adult life. You always revert back (thinking) ‘I’ve been through tougher stuff than this.’” As for objectives, Myers said that the main focus in everything you do is to get to state and be at that elite level.
“I’d love to think that we've got some that can do it,” said Myers. “But, really, until I get to know them a little bit better, as long as they’re giving me what I feel like is 100 percent, I’m OK with that.”
