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Four years ago, Screaming Eagle wrestling was fun and games. Two years ago, the Columbia-and-black evolved into a meritable foe. And this winter, Midlakes is going for the jugular — a state crown.
This all under fourth-year head coach Steve Howcroft, who has brought an attitude of winning, and winning big — now. And these past few years, the Screaming Eagles wrestling team has learned exactly what it takes to win — simply going out and there and performing. And that’s just what Midlakes has done this season, putting themselves on the map and opening peoples’ eyes.
Howcroft, without fail, has imparted a team-first philosophy into his young men. And that team has managed to become the best outfit of grapplers in the state of New York. Howcroft’s boys are the first team in Midlakes school history to produce a top-ranked athletic team in New York state. Last week, the Screaming Eagles were crowned the No. 1 team in the Small School division with their then rather impressive 14-1 record.
If any doubts lingered that Midlakes was the No. 1 team in the state, those doubts vanished when the Screaming Eagles pinned renowned programs such as Phoenix (36-31) and Fredonia (46-25). Enhancing their claims, Midlakes then did something not many teams have been able to accomplish in the last decade, and that’s beating Palmyra-Macedon — Howcroft’s alma mater. During the 1998 season, Howcroft won a sectional title with the Red Raiders in the 135-pound class. He then returned to coach at Pal-Mac as an assistant under current head coach Brian Quick. Last week, Howcroft ushered his Screaming Eagles to a rather shellacking triumph over Midlakes’ Finger Lakes East nemesis, 40-25, in the very gymnasium Howcroft once called home.
Now, it’s safe to say that the Screaming Eagles are pleased — but far from content — with their place in the high school wrestling hierarchy. Howcroft, a Physical Education instructor at Midlakes, is a reason why the Screaming Eagles have experienced this metamorphosis of greatness. In the last two seasons, Midlakes has fashioned an impressive 37-5 record. During last years 2010-11 campaign, the Screaming Eagles finished as the No. 9 ranked team in the state, had three wrestlers achieve sectional titles, and one individual attained bronze in the state tournament. It was the first-time since 1991 that a Midlakes wrestler won first-place at the State Qualifiers and the first-time since 1990 any Screaming Eagle placed at the state tourney. In the midst of this fourth season as the man in charge of the mats, each of Howcroft’s teams have been ranked in the state. In his first-year of tutelage, the Screaming Eagles were ranked No. 39 during the 2009 season, and this was the first-time any Midlakes team had ever been ranked in the state. In his sophomore coaching season, Howcroft guided his team to a No. 12 ranking, last year the Screaming Eagles wound-up as the No. 9 team once the dust settled. Now, Midlakes has earned the title of “the hunted” — and rightfully so.
Have we seen the passing of the torch from one wrestling juggernaut (Pal-Mac) to another (Midlakes)? With a number of tournaments and the always furious postseason coming up as the 2011-12 season heads down homestretch, time will tell. But one things for sure, Howcroft’s Screaming Eagles and Quick’s Red Raiders are destined to make it an extravaganza you won’t want to miss.
Four years ago, Screaming Eagle wrestling was fun and games. Two years ago, the Columbia-and-black evolved into a meritable foe. And this winter, Midlakes is going for the jugular — a state crown.
This all under fourth-year head coach Steve Howcroft, who has brought an attitude of winning, and winning big — now. And these past few years, the Screaming Eagles wrestling team has learned exactly what it takes to win — simply going out and there and performing. And that’s just what Midlakes has done this season, putting themselves on the map and opening peoples’ eyes.
Howcroft, without fail, has imparted a team-first philosophy into his young men. And that team has managed to become the best outfit of grapplers in the state of New York. Howcroft’s boys are the first team in Midlakes school history to produce a top-ranked athletic team in New York state. Last week, the Screaming Eagles were crowned the No. 1 team in the Small School division with their then rather impressive 14-1 record.
If any doubts lingered that Midlakes was the No. 1 team in the state, those doubts vanished when the Screaming Eagles pinned renowned programs such as Phoenix (36-31) and Fredonia (46-25). Enhancing their claims, Midlakes then did something not many teams have been able to accomplish in the last decade, and that’s beating Palmyra-Macedon — Howcroft’s alma mater. During the 1998 season, Howcroft won a sectional title with the Red Raiders in the 135-pound class. He then returned to coach at Pal-Mac as an assistant under current head coach Brian Quick. Last week, Howcroft ushered his Screaming Eagles to a rather shellacking triumph over Midlakes’ Finger Lakes East nemesis, 40-25, in the very gymnasium Howcroft once called home.
Now, it’s safe to say that the Screaming Eagles are pleased — but far from content — with their place in the high school wrestling hierarchy. Howcroft, a Physical Education instructor at Midlakes, is a reason why the Screaming Eagles have experienced this metamorphosis of greatness. In the last two seasons, Midlakes has fashioned an impressive 37-5 record. During last years 2010-11 campaign, the Screaming Eagles finished as the No. 9 ranked team in the state, had three wrestlers achieve sectional titles, and one individual attained bronze in the state tournament. It was the first-time since 1991 that a Midlakes wrestler won first-place at the State Qualifiers and the first-time since 1990 any Screaming Eagle placed at the state tourney. In the midst of this fourth season as the man in charge of the mats, each of Howcroft’s teams have been ranked in the state. In his first-year of tutelage, the Screaming Eagles were ranked No. 39 during the 2009 season, and this was the first-time any Midlakes team had ever been ranked in the state. In his sophomore coaching season, Howcroft guided his team to a No. 12 ranking, last year the Screaming Eagles wound-up as the No. 9 team once the dust settled. Now, Midlakes has earned the title of “the hunted” — and rightfully so.
Have we seen the passing of the torch from one wrestling juggernaut (Pal-Mac) to another (Midlakes)? With a number of tournaments and the always furious postseason coming up as the 2011-12 season heads down homestretch, time will tell. But one things for sure, Howcroft’s Screaming Eagles and Quick’s Red Raiders are destined to make it an extravaganza you won’t want to miss.
