Ric Fehr

Coach Ric Fehr
Sparks High School
Pictures Courtesy of Ric Fehr
Never a More Noble Activity
In all human history there has never been a more noble activity that has benefited all of mankind, as the sport of wrestling. All demographics, male and female, young and old, rich and poor all have the same opportunity. Anyone who has wrestled understands what it adds to our experience in life. Even the God of the bible wrestled in the book of Genesis chapter 32. Since man is created in God’s image it is only natural that we wrestle as well, male and female we were created in His image. St. Paul used wrestling as a metaphor for dealing with life’s deepest challenges.
 
In fact, God used the sport of wrestling and the community that gathered around it, to deliver me out of a chaotic childhood and into a meaningful life. I had an abusive stepdad that said “you will never amount to anything.” I started wrestling so I would not have to go home after school. I discovered that if I made Varsity, I could be gone on the weekends as well. As a Sophomore I won the 98lb Varsity Spot at Sparks High school under Jim Coverley and Ron Voss. These two coaches showed me the techniques of wrestling and discipline of character. In 1984, I became a Nevada state Champion, in 85, runner up. It was wrestling that drove me to collage where at Lassen Collage I was JC All-American. At Humboldt state University, my Junior year, I qualified for DII Nationals. I missed All-American status by one point. The following year I was ranked 5th in the Nation at 118 lbs, but I suffered a separated shoulder at the Conference Tournament. I would continue to wrestle in several Senior Opens, and I eventually wrestled on the All-Army team one year. Then Life led me away from competition and into Coaching.
 
I coached at Reed High school from 91-94 as an assistant under Lon Gwynn. I was blessed to coach the likes of Jeremy Mumm and Orlie De Castaverde, a state champ. We had a great few years with athletes like the Pfister brothers, the Oliver brothers, Ryan Cuddy, Nick Alverson, Nick Woolridge, Wes Wilson and Jaime Gonzales. Then after returning from military service in 2000, I became the Head Coach at Reed for 10 years. I was blessed to coach great kids with similar passions. Quinten Quiggle, Dan Barazza, Mitchell Payne and Branden Gebhardt and Shanice Jackson to name only a few. In 2010, I accepted the invite to be the Head Coach at Sparks high. It was here I have been most challenged as a coach and most satisfied.
 
I began coaching so I might return what was given to me. Life tools, like making my own opportunities, taking a risk even if I fail, mentorship, and character. These are the tools that created a path of transformation for me. As a high school athlete, I felt like my circumstances were unique. I felt like no one suffered the difficulties I had experienced. I soon discovered that I was wrong. It seems that over the years the plague of challenging home life has gotten worse.
 
In the last 21 years Nevada wrestling has grown in amazing ways. There are past athletes returning to the State to re-invest in the next generation. Just in Northern Nevada we have: Nevada Elite, Silver State wrestling Academy and Hard work Academy. All are blazing trails in our region and producing great competitors. The advent of women’s wrestling and the National impact that Nevada has made is a bright star in an already bright sky.
 
However, not all potential wrestlers have access to these clubs. I have been coaching at Sparks High for about 10 years, as well as coaching Excel Christian middle and high School wrestling for 7. It is awesome to coach at the oldest wrestling program in the city while getting the newest program off the ground. Coaching at Sparks has not changed much, but I have changed as a coach. While I was at Reed, there were some Kids who needed special help, some kids who needed a financial assistance, some kids who only had one parent in the home, and as far as I know, no one was homeless. At Sparks these conditions seem to be the norm. Several athletes I have coached in were literally homeless.
 
Coaching Sparks High students is more than instruction in wrestling, teaching technique or condition training. However, it is participating in this sport that allows these young athletes to learn to be champions in life. I have completely refocused my coaching to the whole person, with wrestling being the main tool of transformation. Our kids don’t come to us with deep club training or parents who champion their children in Sports. They are nearly all starting from Scratch. We set clear and achievable goals, we focus on the mental aspects of commitment and keeping your word. Really affirming consistency. There is a “movement” at Sparks right now among the Athletic Department and Coaching Staff of all the sports, to bring a new culture to what has been a struggling sports environment, with exceptions, like Boys Soccer. The football team, under Coach Rose, is doing a great Job leading the way. My coaching staff and I are determined to restore the legacy of Sparks High Wrestling. Along with State Placers like, David Valentine, Mario Guadron a 2 time runner-up, Hunter Nobbs a runner-up, Justice Rice Misa also 2nd, Aleki Pooi, twice 3rd at state, Brandon McCraney, Colby Bowman and Avery Aranas, all 3rd at state, Jasper Melgar 4th. Finally with Tyler Green becoming the first State Champion at Sparks high in decades is a testament to this vision.
 
Michael Arevalo , Stephen Johnson and myself are taking steps to position Sparks High School Wrestling to once again be an impacting program. We have been creating a club environment designed so the students in our area have access and opportunity as that of other schools. We are improving the wrestling environment with new mats and wall pads. We are developing a community partnership to help invest in younger athletes and introduce them to the Sport earlier, with hopes of seeing these athletes gain much needed skills and confidence as they approach high school competition. We see the future of Sparks High Athletics as bright with the wrestling program having the greatest potential for improvement that we have had in a long time. I am honored to be the Head Wrestling Coach at Sparks High at this time; we are the Right Coaches for this assignment at the Right Time. Once a Railroader always a Railroader.
 
In addition I would be remiss if I did not add my thoughts to coaching Excel Christian School for nearly a decade. Excel Christian School is young and small. Although Private, Excel has not yet acquired the facilities for the vison of Athletics they have. As I stated earlier-I am coaching at the oldest program in Sparks (Sparks High) and establishing the newest program in the city of Sparks (Excel Christian). I am honored to be a part of this history. Excel has a small student body but in recent years-we have had a 3rd Place Finisher at State in Ben Brown, Jesse Fehr earned a 4th place finish his Frosh Year and then won State in 2020. While Donovan Goedhals achieved a 4th Place Finish in 2020 as a Sophomore. Having missed last season and still training, there will be a continuation of improvement for Excel Christian Wrestling. Excel Christian has a bright future with vison and a lot of room to grow.
 
Overall, I believe Nevada Wrestling has a lot of momentum. Passion is rising in the community and accessibility to the sport is increasing for all. The leadership of Team Nevada, the Camaraderie of Coaches, the high quality of high school tournaments in Northern Nevada, the officials and NIAA, as well as various Administrations and Athletic Directors are all part of this movement. I am blessed to do my small part. God has used wrestling to teach me about overcoming in life. He has used coaching to teach me about generosity and giving back. My prayer is that the Sport of Wrestling grows in excellence in Nevada and as a result the Nevada Community will be impacted in a positive and meaningful way for our future.