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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 15, 2020)
SPORTS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2020 HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A7 WRESTLING Former state champ is lending his expertise By ANNIE FOWLER SPORTS EDITOR Bob Coleman is still trying to fi gure out which is harder — col- lege wrestling or farming. With his agricultural business degree in hand, Coleman gradu- ated from Oregon State University in the spring, and has been help- ing with the family farm since his return to Hermiston. When farming becomes frus- trating, as it did earlier this week, Coleman can work out his frustra- tions with his former high school wrestling team. “I think that is one of the things we hope for,” Hermiston coach Kyle Larson said of former wres- tlers coming back to help out. “Maybe an expectation. These guys go on to the next level, then come back and pass it back to the next generation. We have had a lot of phenomenal alumni support.” Coleman won the Pac-12 184- pound title for Oregon State Uni- versity last March, and went to the NCAA Championships, but the 2016 Hermiston graduate said he did not start the sport as a natural. “I didn’t just magically get good at wrestling,” said Cole- man, who won the Oregon 5A 182-pound state title in 2016. “It took a lot of people to help me. I’m just paying it forward. Herm- iston has a village when it comes to wrestling.” Coleman, 21, has been working with wrestlers like Trevor Wagner (160-170 pounds), Sam Cadenas (220), Jon Lee (220) and a few oth- ers that fall a few pounds on either side of his size. “It’s funny,” Coleman said. “People know I won a Pac-12 title, but some of these kids think I won worlds. College wrestling is a dog- fi ght every day at practice. You don’t know if you will come out with a bruised face or a broken leg. Everyone has to pay their dues.” If Coleman can teach the young Bulldogs a thing or two, that’s great, but part of him still craves the sport. “You miss aspects of wrestling, but this allows you to go back and help someone else miss it later on,” he said. Coleman, who could have wres- tled one more year at OSU, decided to take his degree and go to work. Staff photo by Ben Lonergan Bob Coleman, right, grapples with Hermiston High School’s Samuel Cadenas, 16, during wrestling practice at the high school on Thursday afternoon. Coleman, a 2016 state champion at Hermiston, and a 2019 Pac-12 champ at Oregon State, helps out his former team when he can. “Academically, when I was at Hermiston, I got about a third of my credits before I went to col- lege,” said Coleman, who was named to the Pac-12 All-Academic second team in March. “I accom- plished more than I ever thought I would in wrestling. I wasn’t just going to stay to wrestle. This gives me the opportunity to stay involved in the sport. As long as my body holds out, I will. When it won’t, I will help with the little kids.” Larson, who also helped with the program before taking over as coach, appreciates whatever help Coleman and other alumni can offer. “Anytime Bob touches any- one in the room, and wrestles with them, they are going to get better,” Larson said. “Sometimes it’s hard to get four coaches, let alone guys like Bob who come in. It’s a steal.” The Bulldogs also get an occa- sional appearance in the room by two-time state champion Brent Parks, who now is a construction/ woodshop teacher at Hermiston High. “He is tougher than nails,” Lar- son said of Parks. “He’s another alumni who helps us out. My brother Jeremy used to come in too, but his (dental) practice is pretty busy.” FOOTBALL Hermiston’s Bradshaw, Coughlin headed to Blue-Grey Game By ANNIE FOWLER SPORTS EDITOR Football season isn’t quite over for a pair of Hermiston offensive linemen. Chase Bradshaw and Dustyn Coughlin have been invited to play in the Blue-Grey All-Ameri- can Bowl on Jan. 20 in Arlington, Texas. “I’m pretty excited for them,” Hermiston coach David Faaeteete said. “I hope they do well and have a good time. I don’t think Herm- iston has had a player selected before.” The game will be played at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dal- las Cowboys. “It was super awesome to be invited, but it’s not cheap to go,” said Bradshaw, who said the trip cost each player about $2,500. “That is the nicest stadium in the Coughlin Bradshaw NFL. That will be pretty cool.” Added Coughlin: “We’ve been to the Beavers’ fi eld (at Oregon State), and that is mind boggling,” he said. “It (AT&T) will be crazy. There will be hundreds of college coaches there. You have to give it your all.” Bradshaw who plays tackle, and Coughlin, a guard, were selected from more than 6,500 players who participated in regional combines during the summer. Both players have been assigned to the Blue Team. Players from 22 eastern states and 17 western states will report on Jan. 18. There will be two days of practices and other events before the game. More than 650 college coaches will be in attendance or will view the game. Over the years, the game has been a recruiting bonanza for college coaches. “There will be some shock and awe at fi rst, but I think they will be fi ne,” Faaeteete said. “It will be awesome for them to play against guys who have already signed, and see how they match up. The com- petition level will be up there, but I think they will be all right.” Though they will play in front of college coaches next week, Bradshaw and Coughlin will take a recruiting trip to Western Oregon University this weekend before they head to Texas. JUST RELEASED UMATILLA COUNT Y MEMORIES Hardcover book Limited supply Both players have been wres- tling since football ended, so they will be in shape come game time. Coughlin, who tips the scales at 300-plus pounds during football, is down to 279. The weight limit for heavyweights is 285 pounds. “I will be quicker and I will have endurance,” he said. The Blue-Grey Game has a rich history, with the likes of Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs), who played in the game in 2014, and Brett Rypien (Boise State), who played in 2015. Faaeteete, who played defen- sive tackle at University of Ore- gon, said he never got an invite to the Blue-Grey Game, but he did play in the Les Schwab Bowl. The game will be carried by the Impact Football Network and streamed across the country. Game time is 4 p.m. (PST). “I’M PRETTY EXCITED FOR THEM. I HOPE THEY DO WELL AND HAVE A GOOD TIME. I DON’T THINK HERMISTON HAS HAD A PLAYER SELECTED BEFORE.” David Faaeteete, Hermiston coach PET OF THE W EEK Cody ody is a sweet & timid old boy who likes o get loves and will give in return (on his erms). He is sight impaired, which makes him a bit skittish. 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