Williamsburg's Eckenrod reaches 400-win plateau

WILLIAMSBURG - Grant Eckenrod had coaching in his blood.

In a way, he was almost destined to work with young adults, whether it was athletics or in school. He had a pretty good role model when he was growing up. His late father, Jerry Eckenrod, coached wrestling for 28 years and taught for 35, contributing to the tradition at Benton Community High School."I think since I got out of diapers I wanted to be just like him," Eckenrod said. "I wanted to coach wrestling, be a (physical education) teacher and do whatever he did."The influence plays a big part of Eckenrod's current success as the head wrestling coach for the Williamsburg Raiders. He reached a new level last weekend, earning his 400 career varsity coaching win at the Western Dubuque Duals.Eckenrod is 400-147-2 overall, including a 201-58 mark in 13 seasons at Williamsburg. He served as head coach at Mt. Zion (Ill.) from 1989-2001, going 199-89-2. He was molded at an early age, following his dad to football or wrestling practice. He was hooked, wanting to help young people reach their goals. Sports was a perfect avenue."Every day I got off the bus and went to practice," Eckenrod said. "I've never known anything different. I just wanted to coach, teach and be like (dad)."Jerry Eckenrod died in 2005 at the age of 63. It was the same year he was inducted into the National Hall of Fame, guiding 41 state qualifiers, 12 medalists and four state champions and amassing 212 wins. One of Eckenrod's most memorable moments came when he brought his Mt. Zion team to the site where he was a two-time state placewinner and three-time qualifier for his dad. The event was eventually named Bobcat "Jerry Eckenrod" Invitational in honor of his father."I got to coach against him a couple times when we came up for the Benton tournament," Eckenrod said. "It was an absolute thrill."The memory of his father remains vivid. He still respects what his dad accomplished. Eckenrod said he desires the chance to share his current feats with his dad and even consult him when things are not as good."I think about him a lot," Eckenrod said. "I wish he was there in the stands. I miss that."Even the bad times when I'd like to throw some ideas off him and be able to ask his advice. Obviously, you can't do that, but he was everything to me."Eckenrod certainly carries on his dad's legacy. He has coached three wrestlers to five individual state championships. Eckenrod led Williamsburg to its first State Duals appearance in 2011. He said he had plenty of company to reach the wins milestone."I've had a lot of help," Eckenrod said. "I've had great support at home and the school. At both schools I've had some of the best assistant coaches you can ask for. You have to have kids that buy into what you're selling. I've been very blessed to have great kids to work with in all the years I've been doing this."Williamsburg Athletics Director and head football coach Curt Ritchie was hired the same year as Eckenrod, who serves as one of his football assistants. He received advice to add Eckenrod to his football staff, because he was also needed for the wrestling program."He is a great coach," Ritchie said. "It's amazing to see what he has done with the program."The work Eckenrod has done with the Raiders has consistently gained supporters. Community support led to a larger brand new 50-by-90 wrestling room this year, making workouts safer for the 30 wrestlers on the roster. One of the highlight dual wins came years ago when they beat then-eighth ranked West Liberty on the road."I remember everyone going absolutely crazy," said Eckenrod, noting the team's regional dual loss to Denver-Tripoli a handful of years ago remains one of his most fond memories due to the effort against a more talented team. "It was one of the wins where we turned the corner."Eckenrod said he gains as much excitement with helping junior varsity wrestlers earn the simplest of achievements as he does from his best competitors. So, it isn't a surprise that he didn't want any fanfare or celebrate the 400th win. He didn't even know how close he was to it."I didn't talk about it to my staff or kids," Eckenrod said. "Shoot, my wife (Traci) didn't even know I got it and was made at me when I got home from the meet the other day."Ritchie said he recalled Eckenrod talking two students into going out for wrestling early in his tenure to have double digits. The program has come a long way under Eckenrod. He has a strong relationship with his athletes, motivating them to push their limits.Ritchie has a good grasp on what allows Eckenrod to thrive as a leader."It's just a passion for kids," Ritchie said. "He is a great example. He pushes our wrestlers. I think the kids do it because they know he wants them to succeed and cares about them."