KELSEYVILLE — Mike Esser practices what he preaches as the first-year wrestling coach at Kelseyville High School.
His first season now behind him, Esser, 42, hopes to rebuild a once-thriving program that is now struggling to field a complete team. It”s not a new story in Lake County. All of the county”s teams — including current powers Clear Lake and Middletown — have bottomed out and bounced back during the last 10 years.
“I”ve been wrestling since junior high,” Esser said of his love of the sport, one that isn”t limited to watching from matside while rooting his wrestlers on.
After all, Esser is still a wrestler, not only at heart, but in action. He”ll be competing today in the ASICS USA Wrestling Folkstyle National Championships in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
“I”ll be competing in the Veteran B division (for 152-pounders),” Esser said. “I want to win it of course, but I think I”m going to do fine and I”m hoping to bring home a medal.”
Esser, who is taking part in the competition for the first time, will be competing against other wrestlers born between the years of 1962-1969.
“It”s a good competition,” Esser said.
A strong performance by Esser today could earn him a berth in the upcoming Greco and Freestyle Championships later this year.
Wrestling isn”t just for youngsters, according to Esser, who hopes his continued participation in the sport will encourage other wrestlers at Kelseyville High to join the team.
While Esser is active in the wrestling program at Kelseyville High, he also hopes to work with the middle school students to create a viable feeder system for his high school program.
