Second Panther wrestler headed to Briar Cliff
Senior Night is usually a night to honor senior athletes and hear them announce their college plans, but Senior Night had a twist for Ridgeland wrestler McKinley Mosgrove a few months ago.
It was that night when Mosgrove finally realized where and how he wanted to spend the next four years and this past Wednesday, Mosgrove finally shared those plans with some of the folks closest to him.
Mosgrove will join his friend and teammate Austin Coppinger as a part of the Briar Cliff University wrestling program in Sioux City, Iowa. The NAIA school sits right along the border with Nebraska and South Dakota, just a shade under 1,000 miles from the familiar confines of Rossville.
“I was standing out there with everyone (on Senior Night) and I had originally written that I was going to Kennesaw State to study business,” Mosgrove explained. “I had no intentions of continuing (to wrestle), but that night, I stayed up all night thinking about it. I called my mom up at around 2 a.m. and asked her if it was okay if I looked into it and she told me whatever made me happy is what I could do.
“The next day I talked to (Ridgeland) Coach (Keith Mariakis) and he said he couldn’t be more proud of my decision. Then I got in touch with the coach (at
Briar Cliff) and here we are.”
Mosgrove said hearing about Briar Cliff and Chargers program from Coppinger, who signed with the school back in November, piqued his interest. The two will now be roommates in Iowa.
“Once it opened up for Austin, I realized there might be an opportunity for me to go out and do more,
and I took the chance as soon as I got it,” he explained. “I know (Iowa) is really far away, but I’m happy to be going out there and getting a chance to continue in a sport I love. Plus, I get to go with someone I’ve grown up with for a long time.
“I haven’t been to Iowa and haven’t been to the college yet, but when Austin went there, he sent me back pictures and he told me stories about how great it was. I looked at virtual tours and watched videos online
and I’ve heard nothing but good things about the school.”
Mariakis said Chargers coach Joe Privitere was willing to bring McKinley into the program, virtually sightunseen.
“He asked me if (McKinley) worked as hard as Austin does,” Mariakis said. “When I told him yes, the coach told me that’s all he needed to hear.”
Mosgrove placed fourth at 145 pounds in the Area 6-AAAA tournament to qualify for state sectionals and helped the Panthers to
a second-place finish at the Area Duals, which earned them a berth at state.
“Josh (Mariakis) and I talked at the beginning of the year about who we thought might have the opportunity (to wrestle in college) and it’s not always about how you did in your high school career,” Mariakis continued. “McKinley’s best efforts came in some of our biggest matches this season. There were kids we never would have thought he would have beaten, but he beat some top-notch
wrestlers this season.
“It just all fell into place and you saw that glimpse of how good this kid can really be. You add a college (wrestling) room, college weight training and his potential is through the roof. Coach Privitere wanted him to fly out and come see the school, but McKinley said he didn’t need to see it. He knew he wanted to wrestle at Briar Cliff. He researched everything about the program and knew that’s where he wanted to go. We’re excited for him and for
our program.”
McKinley’s signing gives the Panthers three seniors who are going on to wrestle in college next year.
“It’s a tribute to those kids and all of the kids in our program,” Mariakis added. “McKinley and Austin and Chris (Henderson) wouldn’t be going somewhere (to wrestle) if they didn’t have other kids in our (wrestling) room pushing them.”
McKinley said he plans to major in Business and minor in Nursing.