For what feels like forever coach Jimmie Foster led the wrestling program, but now with him stepping down there are big shoes to fill. Luckily for Central coach Matt Storm is up for the challenge.
May 5, 2022
For what feels like forever coach Jimmie Foster led the wrestling program, but now with him stepping down there are big shoes to fill. Luckily for Central coach Matt Storm is up for the challenge.
Storm is no stranger to the program, having coached under Foster for 11 seasons. Over the years of working together they have built a friendship and brotherhood.
“This is a great opportunity for me,” Said Storm. “Not only do I get to take over for my mentor, but I’m taking over for a great friend.”
Going back to before the time that Storm worked and coached at Central, he wrestled on the mats under Foster. This is merely a testament to the bond they have grown over the years.
“I’ve had the opportunity to not only coach on coach Foster’s staff, but wrestle on some of his teams here back in the early 2000’s,” Said Storm. “I have pretty much learned everything I know about wresting from coach Foster,”
But their relationship goes much more beyond the mats, which is something often heard from people who have wrestled under Foster.
“Over the 25 years that I’ve known him, he’s taught me way more about how to be a good person than he has about wrestling,” Said Storm. “I’ll continue to instill the core values and community involvement that Foster started in 1997.”
What Foster has contributed to Central wrestling for over two decades has meant so much. It will be tough to follow up that act regardless of the circumstances, but following what was an extremely successful season it’s that much tougher.
“It won’t be possible to fill or wear the same shoes that Foster filled. What he built here with this program since 1997 can’t and won’t be matched,” Said Storm. “What I can and will do is make sure that I’m continuing to use wrestling as a tool to help young men and women be the best version of themselves.”
The goal though, is still to keep filling up the trophy cases of Central.
“The goal is to have your best performances on the mat, at the last two tournaments of the season. It’s important for our wrestlers to be just as ready mentally as they are physically,” Said Storm. “Approaching every opportunity as an opportunity to get better will continue to be a metal approach in our program.”
It was that continued work that led to growth and exposure for some of the program’s top wrestlers. Storm wants to continue to earn exposure for not only his top wrestlers, but everyone within the program.
“We expect big big things from Jamison Kemp, DJ Bonam and Ethan Saxton. They are our returning leaders and they will continue to bring kids along the way with them to achieve success,” said Storm. “The original seven girls team will make the biggest strides this season. Watch out for the girl’s team to make some more noise in the state of Nebraska.”
Storm enjoyed thoroughly getting to coach and get a front row view to the growth in maturity and skill of the girls wrestling team.
“Having the opportunity to work with the girls team and be there for their accomplishments was amazing,” Said Storm. “Angie Rose was the first state finalist, but the first of many to come!”
Storm has been showing that he has an extreme level of dedication, talent and leadership skills that make him the perfect person to follow Foster.
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