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Wayne senior ready for Holiday wrestling tourney

Marcus Windsor spent off-season getting mentally fit.

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By John Cummings, Contributing Writer Updated 1:23 AM Thursday, December 29, 2011

Last season, Wayne High School’s Marcus Windsor entered the state wrestling tournament on a high note. He had just claimed his first district title and felt that he was on a roll at the right time.

Then he went 1-2 at state to finish 42-4 on the season, being eliminated by the same wrestler (Brian Luria of Mason) whom he defeated for the district title.

“Both are matches I know I shouldn’t have lost,” Windsor said. “I wasn’t as prepared as I should have been. This year will be different.”

If early results are any indication, he may be correct.

Windsor, who moves up from 112 pounds to 120 for his senior campaign, enters the Greater Miami Valley Wrestling Association Holiday Tournament today and Friday at the Nutter Center at 7-0 with four pins — and a new-found off-season program.

In addition to the normal off-season program of hitting the mats and the weights, Windsor added cross-fit training to his regimen.

“That really got me in shape. I feel stronger on the mat ... faster,” Windsor said of the program that is used to train everyone from athletes to military special forces.

“(State last year) made me think more and want to practice and work out more.”

While getting stronger over the summer, Windsor made the decision to wrestle where his weight falls. Last season, he did the same, cutting little weight in wrestling 112.

“I wasn’t cutting any weight last year,” Windsor said. “I like to eat. I decided to wrestle where I am so I can have the energy I need and be strong enough.”

Windsor looked stronger while cruising to the title at Edgewood earlier this season. The Warriors senior has learned there is a big difference between being in shape and being in wrestling shape.

“Being a wrestler is not easy,” Windsor said. “Being in wrestling shape is not like being in football shape or basketball shape; there is a lot more mentally that goes into being in wrestling shape.”

Last season, Windsor lost his first-round match at the Holiday before running off seven straight wins to finish third. This year, the goal is to leave with a title.

“I want to tweak things that need to be tweaked,” Windsor said. “I am more focused on the end of the season. I want to get as much mat time as I can before then, but my goal is to go out there and win it.”