| I came to Kentwood as a sophomore in the
1992-93 season. I was lucky enough to be Varsity that
first year, and was an alternate to state that year. I
tore my ACL at football practice during my junior year, and
reconstructive surgery kept me out of any sports for 10
months, including wrestling. My senior year I was a
captain, won the league tournament, and was a state
participant. I later went and wrestled at Highline
Community College. Honestly, I lucked into even wrestling
in the first place. My elementary P.E. teacher was Lee
Reichert, who was the head coach for wrestling at Kentwood
at the time (also a three-time state champ at Kentwood, and
a two-time champ for Enumclaw). He
always talked to me about wrestling, but I gave him the same
reply every time- "I'm a basketball player Mr. Reichert!''
After getting cut from the basketball team as a 7th grader,
I tried out for wrestling. I again was lucky to have
an outstanding coaching staff at Mattson Jr. High, with
Coach Mark Sencenbaugh as my head coach. I fell into a Varsity spot,
and it became a part of my life. There is so much that
I enjoy about wrestling- the hard work, the camaraderie, the
discipline it takes to be a wrestler (and only people that
have wrestled understand this). I was able to wrestle
for one of the best programs in the state, and now I am
fortunate enough to be coaching for it! The coaches I
had throughout the years in wrestling- Coach Sencenbaugh,
Coach Victorino, Coach Mason, Coach Reichert and Coach
Henderson- all helped guide me to where I am today. |
|
Now I am teaching History back at Kentwood, and am in my
11th year of teaching (the first 4 were at Cedar Heights
Junior High). I am in my 13th year of coaching, 8 of
which have been at Kentwood. I also coach football at
Kentwood, and have coached baseball in the past. I
have been coaching with my brother Kendall for 10 years in
football and wrestling, and he just recently became a teacher as
well (Todd Beamer HS). My wife Traci teaches 4th grade at Ridgewood
Elementary in Kent, and I have two daughters: Alexis (born
in 2004) and Ashley (born 2008).
E-Mail:
John.Anderson@kent.k12.wa.us |
