OPRFHS 2009 graduate Jake Venerable talks about what Coach Mike Powell means to him and why he came back to the varsity wrestling team after leaving for a year. And why this group of teammates who shared “blood, sweat and tears” will be his friends for life.
He is responsible for that moment of intense pride. It wasn’t handed to him, it didn’t land on him when he opened the window. it did not come from me. And it gives me chills to witness the satisfaction he reaps from his own determination.
He is almost too good to be true. Nobody could be that great. But ask any wrestler, former wrestler, parent or coach who knows him; Mike Powell is just that great.
Powell, as we call him, like Cher or Hulk or Rock, is the head coach at Oak Park-River Forest High School. [...]
Do you know how much your child weighs down to the ounce? Do you avoid making eye contact with your child after he or she loses a match until your child approaches you? Do you find yourself wearing the school colors every day whether or not you are attending a meet or tournament?
Then you're a WMD. A Wrestling Mom or Dad.
And we'd love to hear your stories. Submit a guest column, a few photos, videos, or comments and we will publish them on the site.
breast cancer
brendan
brothers
cancer
coach
coaches
coaching
Coach Powell
colin
Colin Rogers
high school
High school wrestling
making weight
mike powell
mom
Northwestern
oak park
Oak Park-River Forest High School
photos
powell
recovery
river forest
slideshow
tournament
training
winning
wrestling
Wrestling Family
wrestling mom
Youth Wrestling
