Bowers named to 2009 class

WARDEN — In his 34 years as the head of the Warden wrestling program, there isn’t much head coach Rick Bowers hasn’t accomplished.

On Nov. 7, the list gets a little shorter when Bowers will be inducted into the Washington State Wrestling Coaches Association (WSWCA) Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2009.

With his induction last month, Bowers said he is honored.

“It is a strange so far,” he said. “When you are young and starting your career, you are looking at those names (of those inducted) and then all of a sudden you are one of them. It is amazing to be recognized.”

Bowers — along with Rockey Isley (Olympia High School), Darryl Smith (Olympic High School), and Gaylord Strand (Yelm High School) — will become the 26th class of Washington wrestling coaches to receive the honor of being inducted into the hall of fame.

Bowers began his hall of fame coaching career in 1976 when he was named the head wrestling coach at Warden Middle School.

Just four years later Bowers took over the wrestling program at Warden High School.

Since taking control of the Cougars program, Bowers has developed the  wrestling program into one of the most respectable and traditionally rich programs in the state.

In 34 years at the helm of the program, Bowers has led Warden to seven state championships, including four straight from 2002 and 2005. In 2003, his team set a state-record 237 points on their way to the title. In addition to state championships, Bowers’s teams have also racked up four second-place finishes and 17 additional top-10 finishes.

While Bowers has proved to be a legacy on the wrestling mat and in the community, he thanks the Warden community for its dedication throughout the years.

“I am the tip of the iceberg,” he said. “There is this big core of people who have helped developed the program. The community, administration and the kids have all been there.”

During his career, Bowers has coached the Cougars to some of the most impressive marks in Washington wrestling history.

Bowers has coached 25  state champions, another 20 second-place finishers and 100 state placers and his teams have always represented the Warden community on the mat and off.

The WSWCA will hold the induction ceremony next month during the annual WSWCA Coaches Clinic at the Yakima Convention Center in Yakima, Wash.

With the induction of the 2009 and 26th class, the WSWCA Hall of Fame will have 105 members.

Bowers will be inducted next month and he said he is humbled.

“So far I don’t think I have gotten the total realization of it,” he said. “It is a pleasure and I am overwhelmed by it. I am glad the program is getting recognized and so are the people who have helped it along.”