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03/01/2017 11:00 PMIt’s a safe bet that even Hollywood couldn’t write a better script for how McKayd LaRose finished his career with the Guilford wrestling squad.
McKayd played various sports while living in Utah for the first 16 years of his life. As a senior captain this winter, McKayd finished second in the 160-pound weight class at the SCC Championship, after which he set his sights on winning the Class M state title. McKayd had lost in the state semis in previous seasons, but this time, he put on a championship performance in front of his hometown fans at Guilford High School by claiming the Class M crown with a 1-0 decision over Ben Stratton of Platt. McKayd owned a record of 30-8 on the season.
“I always loved wrestling and I looked forward to it the most. I also felt I acquired skills for wrestling from the other sports I played,” says McKayd, whose career record is 109-35. “It was a perfect setup. We were blessed to have [the state meet] at home. It all felt like home, and that atmosphere in the room gave me confidence and helped me focus. The whole tournament was surreal because it didn’t feel like I had won.”
McKayd could have easily got lost in the moment of competing on the big stage of states in his home gym. Instead, he persevered through the pressure with the resolve of a champion, while earning a few battle scars along the way.
“Two weeks before the postseason, [Head Coach Craig Vedrani] suggested I go up a weight class, which did help me. At states, I pinned my first opponent, which started the road to the title. I focused in on every match I had and nothing else,” says McKayd. “On the second day, I knew it was my day to make my dream come true. I got a bloody nose in my quarterfinal match. There was blood everywhere, but it was a cool sight to see. The semifinal round was the point where I had lost in the past. I knew it was my last shot as a senior, so I gave it everything I had. I was up 5-0 and hit him with a gator roll to pin him in the second period. [McKayd’s brother, sophomore Keldon LaRose] made his final first, so that was motivation for me. We went to the third period of my final at 0-0, so I knew I had to do something. I was able to stay on my feet and break my opponent’s will to win. I wasn’t cocky, but I was overjoyed at reaching a lifetime goal of 13 years.”
Vedrani praises McKayd for his desire, diligence, and leadership. The coach also says that he couldn’t think of a better send-off for his senior leader.
“McKayd is one of our senior captains that has been a terrific leader for our team. He works extremely hard, both on the mat and in the classroom, and has been an outstanding role model and motivator for our team. As I’ve said before, this is a close-knit team, and a lot of that is due to McKayd bringing everyone together with things like team breakfasts, inspirational quotes...McKayd has helped improve the character of our team,” says Vedrani. “I credit him for a lot of our success this year. To see him win the Class M state title was truly amazing because he deserved it. We will miss him greatly next year.”
McKayd’s turning point with Guilford didn’t come with a beating a longtime rival, learning a new take-down, or achieving a personal milestone. It came from developing mental maturity through the heat of competition.
“I improved in my confidence. I always had self-doubt, which was my greatest opponent,” McKayd says. “I saw that you have to fail your way to success. I learned to trust myself and realized it’s a matter of stepping up and out on the mat. I never give up, because it shows defeat.”
Twenty-four of McKayd’s 30 victories came via pin fall this season. Winning by pin is something McKayd takes pride in because he feels it demonstrates true mastery of his adversaries.
“Pinning someone is a way to show people who I really am. The pin solidifies the confidence I have,” says McKayd. “Pinning someone shows you completely handled your opponent. Pinning someone is a way to tell myself that I worked harder than him.”
As a captain, McKayd tries to carry himself the same way as the past captains who influenced him. In terms of the impact that his fellow Indians have had on his life, McKayd says they not only helped him grow as a young man, but also helped him adjust to life in a new state.
“I had captains in the past help pick me up, so being captain woke me up and made me realize that it was my turn to do the same. I made sure there were no such things as grades or classes. It didn’t matter whether someone was a freshman or senior—everyone helped make the team better. The bond we had helped us forget about our differences and helped us come together as nothing other than Guilford wrestlers,” says McKayd, who thanks Coach Vedrani and his entire family. “Leading by example is one of the best ways to motivate success. We were underdogs going into this year because we graduated so many from last year’s team. But we won multiple big matches and we took pride in the work we did. All of the coaches here at Guilford have been a great influence on me. The atmosphere of Guilford wrestling helped me grow. After moving from Utah, this was my first home.”