Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Heritage’s McCrary seeking second title
LITTLE ROCK — Chance McCrary has had his share of bumps and bruises in his high school wrestling career.
He missed the state tournament as a sophomore, after suffering a season-ending injury late in the season. But he bounced back strong to win the Class 6A-7A state title at 152 pounds last season.
The Rogers Heritage senior wants to save his best for last today though in the Arkansas High School State wrestling tournament in Little Rock.
“I had a goal last year and did what it took to get it,” McCrary said. “I think I’ve been in better position this year. Last year, I would just go out and scrap and not really open up on people. This year if I get a let, I’m not set with that. I try to score more points and be more aggressive.”
The 18-year-old, the top seed at 160, cruised into today’s semifinals. McCrary improved to 36-3 with two first-period pins on Friday.
He’s wrestled at both 152 and 160 this year and it didn’t
matter to him which weight class he wrestled at the state tournament.
“Both are pretty tough, but I feel like I’m the best at either weight,” McCrary said. “I’ve just got to go out and prove it.”
Freeman said there was no discussion at all about McCrary being the top seed at 160. That alone shows his reputation, Freeman said.
“His name is known in the state,” Freeman said. “He’s got his share of good wins against some tough opponents.”
Despite having a state title and a state runner-up finish to his credit, the road has been been anything but easy for McCrary. He didn’t wrestle last weekend at the Big West Conference tournament
“I haven’t been healthy since my freshman year,” McCrary said. “It’s been something every year. But it all comes down to this weekend anyway.”
Heritage coach Doug Freeman said some athletes are just injury-prone, but that hasn’t stopped McCrary from succeeding.
“It’s not that they aren’t tough,” Freeman said. “Chance is tough as a cob. He was banged up last year, but that didn’t stop him from winning a state title.”
But he’s better this season in many ways, but much of is attributed to his work ethic and love for the sport, Freeman said.
“He was pretty advanced last year, but I think he’s tougher on his feet this year,” Freeman said. “Chance is a kid who has wrestled for a long time and he hasn’t burned out. He absolutely loves the sport. He’s one of two kids in 25 years of coaching that just absorbs everything about the sport. He’s a kid you just love to coach.”
He’s still going to leave Heritage with several school records including most wins, despite his injury struggles.
McCrary’s drive is also unquestioned. He couldn’t wait to wrestle in the state tournament last year after losing in the finals as a freshman and missing his sophomore season because of a broken arm.
“He was ahead in the third period in the finals and got pinned as a freshman,” Freeman said. “He still won’t watch that match. He takes it personal. He doesn’t lose all that much.”
McCrary developed a love for a different sport this year and might even try it in the college, too. That’s competitive cheer.
He kept a promise to a friend a couple of year sago to at least give it a try as a senior and enjoyed the experience.
“I was just talking then, but it happened and it was super fun,” McCrary said. “I really wanted to try something different and step out of my comfort zone.”
Freeman even pointed out McCrary’s cheer experience may have helped him win a tough match.
“He was in the semifinals and leading late in the match and the official was about to put up two, but Chance did the splits and he waved it off,” Freeman said. It was a great move.”
McCrary missed a couple of tournaments early in the season because of cheer commitments, but he doesn’t believe that it caused him any problems.
“Sometimes you over-wrestle just a little bit,” McCrary said. “I don’t think missing those tournaments really matters.”
McCrary has offers to wrestle in college, so today likely won’t be his last time on a mat. But he’s looking to make sure his hand is raised in his final high school wrestling match to claim his second state title.