Waters makes his mark on history

If you’re not familiar with the sport of wrestling you could have missed a significant piece of history that took place last Saturday at the Missouri High School Wrestling Championships. After already securing a team title, senior Alan Waters jogged to the mat in preparation of his 125-pound state title match against Seckman’s Denny Kleinschrodt. But what astute observers in the arena would have realized is that this wasn’t going to be any regular wrestling match. Waters, a three-time state champion, wasn’t just wrestling this evening for his fourth consecutive individual state championship, but for the right to become a part of a wrestling fraternity reserved for those few who have accomplished the significant accomplishment. He’d become one of only 19 wrestlers since Vernon Whitney of Normandy won his fourth individual championship back in 1952.

The moment came in a flash, literally. Not too soon after the referee blow his whistle, Waters aggressively went after his opponent, took him to the ground and in a workmanlike fashion pinned Kleinschrodt in only a minute and four seconds. It took that small time frame to complete what had been a goal Waters set four years ago. Even with the success of achieving such a sought-after goal, the small amount of emotion displayed by Waters came when the referee lifted his hand in victory with what could be described as relief and satisfaction. As quickly as he jogged on, he jogged off, a Missouri four-time wrestling champion.

“I think Alan wanted it over. He wanted to get through the hype and finish out his career,” coach Bill Erneste said of Waters’ final match.

Waters, a standout on what is an impressive Trojan wrestling squad, finished his season at 47-0 and is described by his coach as calm and mild-mannered.

“You won’t see him real vocal and you’ll never see him real quiet,” Erneste said of Waters’ demeanor. “The way you saw him react after he won his fourth title, it was business-like.”

Waters thought the way he handled the victory was just as champion-like as the performance he put forward.

“After you win act like it’s any other match, don’t celebrate it,” Waters said of his approach to winning. “People that do backflips and everything act like they expected to lose. When you win, shake hands and walk off the mat.”

His fourth state title isn’t the end of his wrestling career as he’ll be attending the University of Missouri next year alongside teammate John Eblen as they look towards setting their sights on higher goals.

“I’m ready to move up to college, it’s a whole new level,” Waters said. “It’s close to home and I’ve got friends and family around.”

“The four championships were just a step towards being an All-American at MU and becoming a national champ,” Erneste said of the confidence he has for his top wrestler’s future success.