It’s always hard when a parent watches their child play the last game of their high school career. It’s even tougher when you have been their coach for nearly a dozen years.
That happened to Trigg County wrestling coach Ralph Stevens Saturday. He coached his son Colin in the final high school match of his career. Colin lost a 4-2 overtime decision to Union County’s Steven Little in the championship of the 170-pound class. It’s the second straight year Colin has finished as state runner-up.
Wrestling has been a family affair for the Stevens family. Colin’s older brother Aaron is an assistant coach. Colin’s sister Brooklyn keeps stats during matches, and mother Robin pretty much runs things and does everything Ralph and Aaron can’t. So one could understand why Saturday was an emotional day for the family.
While Ralph is still the only Trigg County wrestler to win a state title, Colin is the only Trigg wrestler with three top-3 finishes in his career. Aaron finished third in 2014 as a wrestler, and their uncle Homer finished third twice giving the family four different wrestlers with top-3 finishes at state.
Ralph was emotional following the championship match, but he was even more proud of his son and what he has accomplished on and off the mat for Trigg County.
