2007
Harbor Ridge Middle School Wrestling
Wrestlers and Parents,
Welcome to the 2007 wrestling season at Harbor Ridge Middle School. My name is Joe Hathaway and I will be taking over as head coach this year. Last years coach, Jonathan Love, has moved onto Peninsula High School. We are looking forward to a great season, building on the framework that Coach Love has built the last few years.
I’m a local product of the Puget Sound area from University Place. I attended Curtis High School where I was a three sport athlete, with my main focus being wrestling. I then continued on with wrestling in the colligate ranks at Pacific Lutheran University and Southern Oregon University. I finished a bachelor’s degree in Health Education from Southern Oregon University in 2007.
Wrestling is a demanding sport. It takes more than athletic ability and brute force. It requires: strong academic skills, discipline, dedication, hard work, resilience, independence, sacrifice, leadership, confidence, sportsmanship, teamwork, humility and accountability. My goal is to help young men and women become the best wrestlers and people they can be. Wrestling is a great sport that will benefit an athlete of any kind. The lessons learn during this season will translate into success in all facets of life.
There are three main areas that we will focus on to address these goals: academic success, discipline, and mastery of technique. The first is by focusing portions of our practice time to helping the athletes with school work. Great students make great wrestlers because they have developed an open mind and a teachable attitude. The second is through discipline. Discipline communicates confidence and accountability. Being disciplined will allow us to intimidate our opponents, master technique and open doors with administrators to experience new and fun activities. Lastly I will teach technique that will work on the best wrestlers, thru middle school, high school and beyond. I will be preparing wrestlers for the progressive levels of wrestling that are in front of them. This will make for a more seamless transition to high school wrestling, as well as contributing to success at the middle school level.
The health and safety of our student/athletes is of paramount importance. The idea of “cutting” weight and any unhealthy weight management techniques are a thing of the past. I
will be monitoring weight and working with the wrestlers to enforce good health and nutrition habits.
Wrestling is also supposed to be fun. I will be planning fun activities throughout the season for the team. Wrestling is an individual and team sport. Building camaraderie among the wrestlers will create positive team environment.
Please do not be afraid to come up and introduce yourself to me. I am very interested in meeting the Harbor Ridge wrestling family and willing to talk with you about our program. I am looking for parents that would like to get involved helping out at practices, study time, matches and at the district tournament. Don’t worry about needing experience, I will train and prepare you. Volunteers will never miss their wrestler’s matches.
Sincerely,
Coach Joe Hathaway
My home # (253) 565-8391
Cell (253) 230-5682
Email: hatyjj@hotmail.com