Wray went over 100 wins during the Tippecanoe Holiday Tournament last week, and currently owns 103 career victories and a 28-1 record this season heading into the Shawnee Duals on Saturday, Jan. 9.
“At South, people weren’t as dedicated,” said Wray of the first two years of his prep career. “They’d miss practice and not much was said. But now, everyone is dedicated and working hard.
“It’s a hate or love kind of sport.”
Wray has tried to sway his peers over to the love side of it.
“I used to try to always bring that up,” he said. “We’ve actually had some guys doing really well. I just tell them, ‘It’s not about what we do, but what we get out of it.’ ”
Wray gets “lots of friendship, and a family atmosphere” out of wrestling. He’s also had success: Last season, he was a state alternate — just a win away from a state berth. Not bad for someone who started relatively late in the sport.
“I used to play basketball, and I used to watch WWE (pro wrestling),” he said. “A couple of friends got me to try it, and I liked it. Now it’s more than a sport, it’s a lifestyle.”
Wray had his eyes opened, and his hunger for success stoked, by a trip to Graham coach Jeff Jordan’s annual summer camp.
“A lot of people wanted to quit after the first day,” said Wray. “It was tough, but I loved it. It was a learning experience. He helped me out a lot one-on-one. That camp, you just sleep and wrestle.”
Now he’s ready to take his career to the next level.
“My goal personally is to make it to state,” he said. “Being an alternate was alright, but making it to state and being on the podium would be great. That’s my immediate goal. But I want to go to college long-term.”
Wildcats coach Virgil Goodwine thinks he’ll reach it.
“He’s done a great job hanging with the sport and the changes,” said Goodwine. “He has taken the sport seriously.”
Wray’s athleticism isn’t his only strength.
“He is strong academically and plays in the band,” said Goodwine. “He’s just a well-rounded, gifted young man. He will be successful at anything he does.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0364 or krowe@coxohio.com.
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