Arizona Division IV State Wrestling Champions Cole Mortensen (left) and Wacey Wood (center), and sixth place finisher Thomas Frost (right) were honored at the March 10 Snowflake Town Council meeting. Also present were Coach Jeff Mortensen, and Assistant Coaches Ken Owen and Wyatt Hatch were also present. By Naomi Hatch
Snowflake Mayor Tom Poscharsky and the town council set aside March 10 as Lobos Day, and acknowledged student-athletes who took first in Division III boys’ basketball and Division IV wrestling. “This is one incredible group of young men,” said Coach Andy Wood, noting that the Lobo basketball squad hasn’t lost a home game in 2½ years. “Recognition, obviously, is important to give to these young men, but I don’t think they’ve done anything this year with that expectation,” said the coach. Early in the season they were struggling for unity with the lower programs, so members of the varsity basketball team served players in the younger programs breakfast, with each bringing an apron and wearing it while they served. Coach Wood told the council that after losing to Blue Ridge, “which was a very low point in our lives,” that rather than feel like they needed to work harder and do more, they delivered Valentine gifts to 38 widows in the community. It was a great experience for team members and for the widows. Councilman Lynn Johnson, who is a physical therapist, helped a team member when he decided to be “a little overzealous, and got hurt and couldn’t run,” said Wood. He noted that Johnson came that evening to see if he could help and then called Dr. Chad Brimhall, who saw the boy immediately and expressed concern. Dr. Brimhall called a friend who was with the Phoenix Suns. He asked for x-rays, which were taken first thing the next morning. Dr. Brimhall had a diagnosis within 15 minutes of sending the x-rays and was able to help the player. “It was absolutely amazing,” said Coach Wood, expressing gratitude to those in the medical field, and to the citizens and fans in the communities. “We’re proud of you,” said Mayor Poscharsky. “I was really happy with our boys who did qualify (for state),” said wrestling Coach Jeff Mortensen. He also thanked the therapists and doctor who helped the Lobo wrestlers. Coach Mortensen said that they were able to raise enough money in a fundraiser to send two wrestlers and two coaches to a workshop in Virginia Beach, Va. They received support not only from the Snowflake and Taylor community, but from throughout the White Mountains. “It’s exciting to be able to bring home some medals from state,” said the coach. Councilman Cory Johnson, who also serves as president of the Snowflake Unified School District Governing Board, shared a letter the board received that thanked the wrestling team for being so good on the mat as well as off. They went above and beyond in helping, according to the writer of the letter, who was in a wheelchair, and she thanked them for their help.
