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M/CLOUDY Temp: 42 °F Wind: WNW at 3 mph Monday, March 3, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend February 13, 2003 Phoenix�s Kevin Cowley, who has compiled a 27-6 record this season and is ranked No. 6 at 130 pounds in the Class 3A state rankings heading into this weekend�s district meet, is looking to join his older brothers Luke and Jeb as a district champion. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Fed up with second After four straight second-place finishes at district meets, Phoenix’s Kevin Cowley wants to get his hands on a title By DON HUNT Mail Tribune PHOENIX — It may be harsh to designate second place as the first loser, but Phoenix High wrestler Kevin Cowley has quite frankly become a little tired of all the silver medals and red ribbons that decorate his bedroom walls. And tired of hearing public address announcers bellow, "And the runner-up, from Phoenix High School, Kevin Cowley!" It’s not that second is anything to be ashamed of, mind you. But with four straight second-place finishes at district wrestling meets, the junior would just once like to get his hands on a championship medal and join older brothers Luke and Jed as district champs. Luke garnered a district title in 1994 and Jed grabbed titles in 1997 and ‘98. Kevin Cowley’s next opportunity will come this weekend at the Skyline Conference district meet at Illinois Valley High School in Cave Junction. Naturally, Cowley is seeded second in his weight class — 130 pounds — behind Illinois Valley freshman standout Zach Pagnotta. "Winning district has always been one of my main goals," says Cowley, who has been the district runner-up twice in middle school and twice in high school. "But I’ve never been as prepared as I am right now. "I feel pretty good about my chances." Cowley, who finished second to Mazama’s Dustin Power at last year’s district tourney, has compiled a 27-6 record this season and is No. 6 in the Class 3A state rankings, one spot in back of Pagnotta. Cowley lost to Pagnotta, 7-3, during a dual meet on Jan. 30. "It was 4-3 in the third period and he got some late back points when I took some chances," Cowley says. "He beat me, he deserved it, but it was closer than it looked." Cowley has been spending extra time in practice this week grappling with Phoenix assistant coaches Joe Hagler, Shawn Willis and John Thomas, learning new moves and increasing his endurance. "I know the moves but it’s hard to gather your thoughts when you don’t use them all in a match," Cowley says. "And so I’ve been working on expanding what I do. "It’s all about repetition. You keep doing it and doing and then in a match you don’t have to think about it — it just becomes muscle memory." Cowley has also been sharpening his ability to get off the bottom, something he had trouble doing against the strong and athletic Pagnotta. Wherever Cowley winds up at district, Phoenix coach Harry Mondale says he’ll likely get what he deserves. "He’s got the best work ethic of anyone in our (wrestling) room," Mondale says. "We get 100 percent of Kevin every time he takes the mat, and that’s all we can ask for." Cowley is hoping to parlay that work ethic into his first district championship. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search M Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S