Wrestling isn’t exactly the first option for students in Park City. It traditionally isn’t the second, third or even fourth option.
Park City High School wrestling head coach Brenan Cole is trying to change this.
More than time, dedication and effort, it takes a great deal of patience to establish a consistent program in any sport, knows this.
“I’m really trying to change the culture,” he said. “It’s hard to change that culture. I’ll take whoever I can get.”
A former star high school wrestler in Colorado, Cole is no stranger to the sport and, as an assistant on the Park City football team; he is no stranger to coaching. His desire to win is his No. 1 priority, but being in such a precarious position, he knows that success may not come right away.
“We’re always trying to improve,” Cole said. “My goal as a coach is to make sure our team is improving. I’m a competitive coach. I want to win. I always want to win.”
This year, 90 percent of the PCHS wrestling team is first-year wrestlers. Home dual crowds are sparse, but the second-year head coach sees progress and at this point, he’ll take all he can get.
“Everybody’s improving and that’s what I’m looking forward to,” he said. “Changing a culture is getting things going in the summertime. We’re trying to make this a year-round program, not just three months out of the year.”
Trying to construct a competitive wrestling program in Park City may seem a tall task, but keeping a realistic mindset helps the ultra-competitive head coach when he looks to the future.
“I can’t expect them to go out and beat everybody,” he said.
What may be the most difficult obstacle to maneuver around is contending with so many different sports in such a small community. Cole has seen it first hand and is willing to work around it.
He said last year he had a skier who wrestled and attended practices and meets sparingly due to other obligations, but this year the student-athlete has taken a liking to the mat.
“He knows I’m willing to work with him on that,” Cole said. “With everyone else in the community, the word will get out that I’m working with the kids and that they don’t have to give up their (other) passion for wrestling.”
The positives are there for the team; last year Park City had a wrestler in the 3A state finals and, once Cole and his staff have wrestlers committed to the sport, the future seems to have a positive outlook.
“As a coach, I have to hold our team to a different standard than the public does,” he said. “If I keep all these kids here, we’re going to see more in the wins category rather than just moral victories.”