With the wrestling season’s conclusion in March, Zachary Waters has decided to step away from the Oviedo wrestling program that he has helped build into a force in recent years. Whether building a culture around the team that has led to success or teaching new techniques and moves to team members, Waters has been instrumental in the buildup of the team.
“Coach Waters he guided me, he showed me how to do a bunch of different things [on the mat],” said Sophomore Joseph De Armas.
Waters has helped to cultivate a team culture that facilitates improvement for the individuals and team, while still making it enjoyable so that wrestlers enjoy each practice and meet. Waters built this supportive yet structured community through the strong relationships he made with his wrestlers and his ability to connect with newcomers to the team.
“I just love to wrestle with all the guys [on the team],” said De Armas.
“When I was wrestling I always had someone to listen to… I always had [Waters] in my corner,” said Junior Haylee Richards.
His support for his athletes and the familiar relationships he built made Waters a friend to the wrestlers just as much as he was a person of power, leader and coach.
“From my time with him, when I hung out with Coach [Waters] he was an amazing guy,” said Sophomore Kayden Hacker.
Waters now leaves the team in a great position to compete moving forward as the culture he has built combined with the success of the Lions in recent years bodes well for the team. The team is coming off another successful year with the girls team finishing 54th in the state and winning the SAC conference, while the boys team had multiple top 3 district placers.
Despite this success from last year the Lions team faces a major roadblock for next season, with no current coach of the team the offseason training that is crucial to in season success is impossible and the team has been forced to train with other teams in the county.
“All of our girls are working hard, we’re going to the gym,” said Richards “ We are paying to go to Winter Springs and Lake Brantley, just everywhere. We’re all splitting up.”
While this separation of the team causes problems, the team is still optimistic of the future and a new coach. But while the future is bright the team will not forget the contributions made by Waters and hope for a coach that can match his qualities.
“Coach Waters has a lot of leadership skills and he was a great guy at [fostering] communication, I hope we can get [a new coach] that will lead this team that well,” said Hacker.
