For once, the most compelling athlete at a state tournament wasn’t the winner, or even the runner-up. No, the true scene stealer was a sophomore at Bayfield-Washburn High who finished sixth. He was so captivating for a powerful reason: He competes without any hands or feet.
As noted by the Madison Daily Cardinal, Bayfield-Washburn sophomore Zach Anglin reached the Division 3 state semifinals before finally being knocked out by A.J. Schoenfuss, a fellow 106-pound star from Stratford High. He finished sixth in his division, but not before winning over everyone at the tournament with his quick, aggressive moves on the mat.
“I am really proud of what he has accomplished,” Bayfield-Washburn wrestling coach Steve Miller told the Ashland Daily Press. “It’s fantastic to have a wrestler go to state. Zack has been wrestling to his potential throughout the tournament. He belongs in Madison.”
Note that Miller made no mention of Anglin’s disability. In fact, there’s no mention of Anglin’s disability anywhere in the Daily Press article about his appearance at the state tournament. Instead, he is just another wrestler, albeit one who is very elusive when facing a pin.
“My coach has me working with heavier guys in practice, so that has really helped me to work on my leverage,” Anglin told the Daily Press. “I have been watching a lot of college wrestling, and the movements the guys on the mat make so it’s all helped me with my wrestling.”
In turn, his wrestling has helped him with other sports, including his role as a nose tackle for the Bayfield-Washburn football team. All of that is secondary to his performance on the mat, which has already earned him a state berth and enough admiration to more than make up for the sixth place finish.