MUNCIE, INDIANA---A chance to win it all on one last ride. That’s the opportunity Muncie Central High School Senior wrestler Titus Waters has when he heads to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis for the first round of the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) heavyweight state finals on Feb. 17.
“I want to win the whole thing,” Waters said. “At the end of the day I just want to wrestle my match. I just want to leave it all out there. I don’t have another chance in high school so might as well just leave it all out there.”
The chance to compete for an individual state title is an opportunity Waters doesn’t take lightly, and the independence that wrestling offers is something that Waters relishes.
“I love that it’s individualized,” Waters said. “Team sports are fun, and it’s fun to win with other people, but I can’t blame someone when I lose a wrestling match. It’s just me out on the mat.”
That individualistic attitude has led Waters to get to where he is today, but that hasn’t been the only drive to make it to Indianapolis.
“It started last year when I lost in semi-state by a point,” Waters said. “I was really upset with that result, and then all offseason I was on the mat from the day after semi-state. I didn’t take time off. When sectionals hit, I was like a man on a mission.”
A man on a mission to take home the gold. Muncie Central High School’s Head Wrestling Coach, AJ Bradley, knew that this is where Waters would be in February.
“He’s the hardest worker in the room and it’s been that way all summer,” Bradley said. “I’m not surprised at all that he qualified for state.”
As the IHSAA state finals draw closer, Waters is thankful for the support of the Muncie community and excited for the positive impact his accomplishment could have for his program.
“I’m really proud of it [community support],” Waters said. “I’m just glad it’s building up the program. It’s not just Muncie Central wrestling, it’s Muncie wrestling. I just want more people to get bought into it because Bradley is building something good here.”
The Bearcats will host an open practice in the school gym on Friday for Waters’ final practice before he heads down to Indianapolis for his last high school wrestling match with hopes to “win the whole thing.”
Contact Andy Newman with comments at asnewman2@bsu.edu
