Anthony working to turn Sauk Centre's Bret Illies, who he beat by pin during the Jaguar quadrangular on February 2, 2006. |
It's still so hard to believe. As painful as these times are, we should make sure to reflect on the good times. Even if it brings out more pain and more tears.
At B-B-E, Anthony was a three-sport athlete in junior high with football, wrestling and track and field. He continued his wrestling career through 11th grade and was part of the Jaguars wrestling varsity squad as a sophomore and junior. In his junior season, he was a full time starter and a key member of B-B-E’s 12-16 squad in the 2005-2006 season. It was a remarkable turnaround after the team only managed two dual wins in 2004-2005 due to multiple open weights.
As a junior, Anthony wrestled at 145, 152 and 160 pounds and finished with a fine record of 20-16. In the Section 5A individual tournament, he went 2-2 and took fourth place at 145 pounds.
Anthony was a guy who would do anything for his team, his coaches and his friends. Mild-mannered, easy-going, always looking for a joke to tell or a prank to pull, he left an impression on anyone who knew him that will never be forgotten.
He and Coach Vos are undoubtedly hanging out right now, watching over all of us from above.
Click on this link to see more pictures and a video clip from the 2005-2006 wrestling season: