By Don Trello
The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent
At first glance it appeared the Sunlake wrestling program underwent a significant change when Seahawks athletic director Russ Schenk stepped down as head coach and assistant Eric Rapp took over this season.
Schenk has 300-plus dual meet wins in a coaching career that began in 1986 and is set to receive the Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame later this year.
“I was under tremendous pressure to keep up with high expectations,” said Rapp, who is in his first season leading a program. “It sets very high standards when your boss gets honored by the hall of fame. I can’t imagine higher standards.”
Rapp has responded well to the challenge. The Seahawks are 16-5 in dual meets and have a legitimate state title contender in senior John Ortiz at 126 pounds.
“I try not to make myself unbelievable (to his wrestlers),” Rapp said. “I push them hard, but I’m not unrealistic. I motivate them to want it for themselves. I want to unlock potential.”
Rapp’s background includes serving in the U.S. Army after graduating in 1996 from Land O’ Lakes.
“I went to Ranger School and spent four years in Special Operations,” Rapp said. “I was a weapons squad leader, a big gun and demolitions guy. It’s a big reason I’m hard of hearing.”
Rapp wrestled in high school, and participated in the program at the World Class Wrestling Club (WCWC) operated by Schenk in the high school off-season.
“I walked through Ranger School when I was 18 because wrestling gave me mental toughness and desire to succeed in life,” Rapp said. “It’s my desire to pass that on to as many young men as possible.”
Schenk, who stayed on as Sunlake assistant coach, was instrumental in bringing Rapp into the program.
“Eric is hardworking and a great guy,” Schenk said. “His approach is very similar to mine. We kind of play good cop, bad cop. He’s taken over the spot of being the disciplinarian, and I’m the good cop. It’s working well.”
Rapp’s passion for wrestling resulted in opening his own gym two years ago.
“I wanted to combine academics and sports, but the economy changed and I couldn’t keep up with it,” Rapp said. “High school wrestlers came to my gym and asked me to talk to coach Schenk when he became athletic director. … I called and stopped by to see him, and he recommended me to the principal, and I was hired.”
Rapp indicated coaching has become more challenging due to outside influences on high school athletes today.
“It’s hard to get their attention because of outside distractions,” Rapp said. “Parents are under more distractions than we had. They have a lot to deal with.
“I want mental and physical toughness, but I want to develop outstanding adults,” Rapp added. “That takes you further than anything else if you do it the right way.”
Ortiz seems to have bought into Rapp’s philosophy and coaching style.
“Coach Rapp is a great coach, and I’m learning from him,” Ortiz said. “He focuses on being tougher and stronger. It’s good to have a different perspective.”
Rapp’s enthusiasm for wrestling extends beyond Sunlake, working at WCWC during the summer.
“We want to build a program by getting more people involved at a younger age,” Rapp said. “Wrestling is situational awareness and having a planned course of action. All the glory is being a coach of a great program, but there is more pride in developing a program.”
The Seahawks host the Class 2A-District 8 tournament Jan. 31 starting at 4:30 p.m.
