Jeff Chaney
Sports Scene
Hudson wrestling coach Scott Marry says that his program is off to a good start to achieving dynasty status, but he doesn’t want to talk about that now.
In the last decade, the Tigers have laid the foundation of being labeled a dynasty. The team has become a force to be dealt with in Division 4 by winning the last three team state championships.
Marry wants to keep up this streak of success before he will even say ‘dynasty.’
“I just like to be labeled as ‘tough,’ ” Marry said. “When I think of the word ‘dynasty,’ I think long-lived. When I see that word, I think Michigan football – 100 years of tradition. 25 years from now we can talk, and I may have a different description of Hudson wrestling at that time. But we do have a good start.”
The Tigers are in good shape to add to their successes and team titles. Hudson is currently 22-2 on the year after winning the Addison district by beating Pittsford 78-0 and Addison 50-15 to move on to the regional.
Hudson’s only two losses came against perennial state powers Detroit Catholic Central and Richmond.
And as for ‘tough,’ the Tigers have plenty of that kind of wrestler, including seniors Joel Varney and Devan Marry and sophomore Cole Weaver.
Varney won the state title at 145 pounds last year, while Marry and Weaver were runners-up at 160 and 112 respectively.
Marry was a state champion two years ago.
“We definitely have something special we are going for,” Varney said. “There have been only two teams that have won four state titles in a row in Davison and Dundee. We want to be number three.”
Varney says that hard work has allowed the Tigers to put themselves in this position. “Our coaching staff has been a big part of all this,” he said. “I think we have the best coaching staff in the state, and they push us to the best of our ability. Our conditioning coach [Wendy Towne] pushes us to the breaking point, so we always know we will be in condition.”
Scott Marry says it is kids like Varney who have been the backbone of his program.
“He’s a three-sport athlete,” Scott Marry said. “He is the starting linebacker and fullback in football that made it to semifinals, and he plays baseball in the spring. He knows pressure, but he just goes with the flow, he doesn’t care. He will just throw his best at you, and if you can beat it, you beat him. The only thing he probably cares about now is spring break, and that is good stuff, that is the way to be.”
Varney, who is currently 39-2, does care about repeating as state champion himself.
“That’s very important,” said Varney, who has already signed up for the Marine Corps and would possibly like to wrestle for the Marines in the future. “I know I have a target on my back. I can tell that from wrestling this year; kids are after me. I know I have to work harder and defend that.”
And to win that fourth team title.
“On paper, we are set up to make it to Battle Creek,” Scott Marry said. “Everybody is pretty healthy and on weight. Barring some huge upsets, we should be okay. Then, depending on the draw in Battle Creek, because it’s all based on matchups, we’ll see.”
“I like our chances; we are getting better,” he added. “We are younger, we only start five seniors, but we have a lot of freshmen and sophomores in our lineup that are talented. A lot are still getting mat time that is needed, and some may have 15 and 16 losses, but they are still gaining confidence. Now they are starting to win and gain that confidence.”
So just one more step and another trip to Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek – a place that has become a home away from home for Hudson.
“Everybody talks about us winning four,” Scott Marry said. “When you work hard at this, things take care of itself, and it’s God’s will. These kids know how to work hard, and I will be happy win or lose because I know how much hard work they’ve have put in.”