This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Sports

Pinned Down for State

McCluer North senior Patrick Whitener has the possibility to win a state wresting title at the 145-pound weight class.

A simple case of curiosity brought Patrick Whitener to the mat for the first time three years ago.

"I didn't know a thing about it, but it looked like it might be fun," he said. "So I thought I would try it."

What began as fun has turned into an obsession for the talented senior.

Find out what's happening in Florissantwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Whitener, with no formal training as a child, has moved into the top five in the state of Missouri in the 145-pound weight class, according to missouriwrestling.com. He sports a 30-6 record and is a favorite to make some noise at state meet Feb. 17-19 in Columbia.

"He's worked hard, and he's come such a long way," said North wrestling coach Jake Lapinski. "He's put so much time into it."

Find out what's happening in Florissantwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Whitener was a standout on the freshman football team when Lapinski visited a practice to try and convince some of the tougher, more aggressive players to come out for his squad. Whitener seemed intrigued by the sport and thought it would be worth looking trying out.

At the time, Whitener figured he had nothing to lose.

"If I didn't like it, I just wouldn't go out the next year," he said.

It took Whitener about four weeks to decide that wrestling would be his sport of choice.

"A month into it, I started loving it," he said.

Although Whitener continued his football career at North, wrestling became his No. 1 priority.

And it shows.

Whitener spends most of his time away from the mat working hard in order to get better on it. That type of dedication and determination more than made up for his lack of childhood wrestling training.

Now, with three solid years under his belt, Whitener is hoping to claim the state championship belt he has been dreaming about ever since he became infatuated with the sport.

Lapinski believes his star pupil is capable of reaching the top spot.

"His work ethic is his No. 1 strength," Lapinski said.

Whitener has won five of his last six matches at 145 after starting the season at 152. He has nine pins among his 30 wins this season.

Last winter, Whitener came from out of nowhere to reach the state tournament. A .500 wrestler as a sophomore, he fashioned a 31-13 mark and won two of four matches in Columbia. His losses came against quality opponents - the eventual first and third-place finishers at 145.

That taste of state glory has fueled Whitener's drive this season.

"The best thing about him this year is that he'd be upset if he just qualifies for state," Lapinski said. "Getting there isn't going to do it for him.

"He wants to be a state champion."

Whitener's overall balance is the key to his success. He sports lightning-quick reflexes and has what Lapinski calls, "good wrestling sense."

"He's above average in all areas - but not lights out in any one spot," the coach said.

The 17-year-old said he learned a lot from last year's trip to state. He plans on using that experience later this month.

"You can't hold back up there," he said. "You've got to go all out right from the start."

Whitener, a linebacker on the football team that lost to CBC in the playoffs, is the Stars' captain. He takes that responsibility seriously. Whitener leads by example. He is not the rah-rah type.

McCluer North has lost just two dual matches all season. The Stars have won or shared the Suburban North Conference championship 10 of the past 11 seasons.

Whitener is looking forward to his last chance at high school glory. A better than average student, he is hoping to walk-on to the wrestling team at Ball State University in Muncie, IN next fall.

But for now, he has some unfinished business at North.

"I had some butterflies last year, but I loved the feeling," Whitener said of the state meet. "This time, I'm going to be ready."

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Florissant