Get to know Mill Valley HS wrestler Colin McAlister
SHAWNEE, Kan. — Mill Valley High School Junior Colin McAlister has his heart set on winning the state championship in wrestling this year. Engaged in the sport since the age of 4, he has developed discipline and a winning mindset, as well as an attitude of giving back. 鈥淓ven though wrestling is a very difficult sport, it provides the mindset and work ethic to overcome the challenges that life hits me with along the way,鈥� he said. Managing his time to maintain balance between school, sport and his social life is his greatest challenge, but he manages it philosophically, and his GPA of 4.2 and ACT score of 33 demonstrate his success.
鈥淚 love the relationships I have built through this sport and the way it allows me to give back to my community through coaching,鈥� he remarked. 鈥淲restling prepares me for the real world through the lessons it teaches me. Not only does it prepare me to be an individual contributor in my future job, it also teaches me to collaborate with others and work as a team towards a collective goal.鈥� He notes that the sport is all about fighting through adversity, whether in a practice match or a competition. A strong work ethic is essential for both the mental and physical preparation prior to a match as well as to master the outcome of the match. 鈥淭his sport is all about the pursuit. It鈥檚 not about glory, money, or a material value. It鈥檚 about the pursuit of being the best version of yourself.鈥�
Colin prepares for each match by using positive visualization as well as stance-and-motion and other wrestling drills to warm up physically. He derives inspiration from prominent wrestlers and coaches in the community, Jordan Burroughs in particular, whose mindset and work ethic he strives to emulate. He is also motivated by the kids he coaches 鈥� 鈥渢hey inspire me to improve myself so I can be a better coach and mentor to them.鈥� When asked what he is most proud of, he pointed to the kids. 鈥淲atching them make their own improvements every practice and prepare for their own journey is really great to watch. I am grateful that I get to help these kids reach their goals and I am proud to call myself their coach.鈥�
While Colin has received great advice from many key people throughout his sports career, the words that stood out the most was from one of his coaches who advised, 鈥淲hen it鈥檚 all said and done, you鈥檙e either going to look back and be proud of what you accomplished or think about what you should鈥檝e done. Make sure you have no regrets. Stay the course.鈥�
Another important aspect of the sport is teamwork. To Colin, being part of a team means working toward something greater than his own achievements. 鈥淏eing a member of a team has shown me that not only should you work to get to the top of the podium, but you should also strive to bring your teammates to the top with you. It has taught me to worry less about gold medals and more about building long-lasting relationships with the people I grind with every single day.鈥� His hope to win a state championship is not for himself alone but for the team to bring home a title along with an even deeper level of camaraderie.
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