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VUHS Wrestling: Taking It To A New Level

photo provided Assistant Coach Scott Bissonnette, Senior & State Champion Bobby Worley, and Coach Nate Kittredge pause to celebrate Bobby's state win at the Vermont Wrestling State Championships

photo provided The VUHS Wrestling team turns in a superb season with the seniors leading the way. Members ot the team are: Allen Amery -Sophomore , Clayton Childers- Sophomore, Aaron Desabrais- Sophomore, Max Flynn -Freshman, Simon Flynn -Junior, Mike Gagnon -Freshman, Alex Gendreau- Sophomore, Geoffrey Grant -Freshman, Leigh Higbee -Senior, Spencer Howard -Junior, Ricky Karzmarczyk Sophomore, Davis Lalumiere -Senior, Jesse Morris -Freshman, Brendin Roberts -Freshman, Chuck Stinchfield -Senior, Morgan Stinchfield -Sophomore ,Cara Strona -Freshman, Damien Strona -Senior, Mike Strong - Senior, Bobby Worley -Senior

Tuesday March 17, 2009

By Cookie Steponaitis

    When VUHS wrestling Coach Nathan Kittredge was in second grade, he accompanied his father to VUHS to wrestle. Growing up in a family steeped in the tradition of the sport, Nathan watched matches and their outcomes at all levels long before he was able to compete himself. When Nathan became a student at VUHS in the 1990’s there were only five students on the team. Although the group was very tightly knit, there was not much recognition or excitement about wrestling during that decade. “Wrestling taught me a great deal,” Nathan reflected. “It certainly was what got me to go to college. My father had a very successful construction business waiting for me to join, but I wanted to wrestle at a college level. That took me to Plymouth State College and a degree in physical education and health.”

    As fate would sometimes have it, circumstances unforeseen to all of us shape our future and bring us back full circle to the community we grew up in. In 2006, Nathan’s father suffered a tragic accident and the needs of his family brought Nathan back from teaching in New Hampshire to the Vergennes community he had called home. “I never looked back,” remarked Nathan. “And within a short time of being home, the school contacted me about the wrestling program at the high school. I assumed the position in 2006.”

    The changes that have occurred in the Commodore wrestling program since 2006 have resulted in VUHS earning numerous awards including Nathan as well. Honored as the Vermont Wrestling Coach of the Year in 2006, Nathan has developed the Commodore program into a consistent force that annually has over 25 members on the team and boasts a summer program of young wrestlers that average over fifty. “My first emphasis was on the technique of wrestling and the emphasis on physical and mental conditioning. The first year we had twenty-five members on the team and we posted a record of 10-9. Today we have a record of 16-3 and have team members placing at states as champions and going on to the New England level as well. Most importantly, we have athletes who are dedicated and determined to succeed on and off the matt. Wrestling gives each individual so much room for personal growth that there is no limit.”

    When speaking with Coach Kittredge, you see a fierce pride in his athletes and in their individual journeys through his program. The same is true when you speak to the athletes. Senior captains Bobby Worley and Mike Strong both came to wrestling at different times in their lives, but credit the sport and Nathan for being life changing. VUHS senior and heavy weight wrestler Mike Strong began wrestling as a sophomore and has achieved a record of 87- 36 in three years. While most at VUHS can not remember a time before Mike was a wrestler, he can and remarked, “Wrestling and Coach Kittredge have changed my life. I have learned discipline, focus, hard work, goal setting and how to overcome obstacles. He pushed me to never stop and to always demand my best.” As a team leader, Mike works in the middle school program, the youth program and serves as a role model for teammates. Mike, following his coach’s footsteps in more than one way will attend Plymouth State (Kittredge’s alma mater) and is already being actively sought by the college coach.

    Senior Bobby Worley set three goals when he started this year. “This year my goals were a career total of 100 wins and a state championship and to go to New England’s,” he remarked. “All were achieved.” Bobby’s involvement with VUHS wrestling began in sixth grade and he had the benefit of having several different coaches during his time. “I started wrestling in sixth grade with Coach Jackman, Coach Coyle, Coach Casey and Coach Devine. Once I hit middle school it was Coach Jackman. Coach came in my sophomore year. Wrestling has gotten me back into shape. It is one way I am known through the school. It taught me that everything is mental. No matter when your body says you need to stop, you can always push yourself harderand farther.” Co-captain Bobby hopes to wrestle in college and has high hopes for the Commodore program in the future. Both seniors hope that the program will continue increasing in numbers and that eventually a state champion team will emerge.

    Another facet to Coach Kittredge is his unique career both in and out of college. Nathan wrestled for Plymouth State College and returned to the staff as an assistant coach. After graduation he sought other opportunities to continue developing his skills and eventually found his way into the professional fighting leagues. Currently the holder of the Untamed Middle Weight Title for Full Force Productions and The Middle Weight Champion Title for Reality Fighting, Nathan continues to advance his own skills and shows his wrestlers that at each level of life you can keep identifying new challenges and goals. Nathan looks back at this season with pride and ahead at the team on the way up and the continual challenges of motivating each individual athlete to achieve their own personal best. When asked how he felt about being home at the school where he began, Coach Kittredge smiled and remarked, “Fate, it all about fate.” Whether it was fate or the whim of chance, the wrestlers, faculty and staff of VUHS are glad that Coach Kittredge is a Commodore and that he is home.

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