Superior wrestler continues to make history

Anthony Parkin is the first student-athlete in Superior history to win a state championship in two sports the same year as part of the Bobcat state champion football team and then as the state 105 lb. class wrestling champion.

At the end of June the junior will head to Florida to compete in the Disney National Wrestling Duels against the top wrestlers from throughout the nation.

“I got invited to it after state,” Parkin said. “Right after I won state to also get that was pretty awesome. Its nerve wracking but it’s going to be sweet.”

Parkin added that he is excited about the trip to Florida and the potential it holds to be seen by college scouts and wrestle against the country’s top athletes in his sport.

Prior to leaving for the Disney Duels, Parkin will travel to Sydney to participate in a weeklong camp with fellow participants in the national competition from Montana. When he discusses wrestling it is clear Parkin is passionate about the sport he has been competing in since the third grade.

“I love that it’s one on one,” Parkin said. “If there are any mistakes you can’t place the blame on anyone but yourself. It’s all about you.”

This year was Parkin’s first state championship win in wrestling and after two years of being too light to compete in the tournament. His freshman year Parkin said he had to drink “gallons” of water to make weight at the divisional tournament, where he earned a chance to compete in state.

However just prior to the state tournament Parkin threw up and was too light to compete. It’s unusual for a wrestler, even in Parkin’s weight class (the lightest class in high school wrestling) to be underweight and the junior said his coach, Charlie Crabb, told him it was the first time he has coached someone who got to drink milkshakes instead of practicing in order to gain weight.

“The week of divisional everyone was doing everything and I was just drinking milkshakes,” Parkin said. “It was rough.”

This year the scale was in Parkin’s favor and he was able to compete, and win, the state tournament.

“I can’t even explain the feeling,” Parkin said. “My freshman and sophomore year I was always just a little guy out there. I remember Mr. Crabb saying that once I hit weight I will be a state champion no problem.”

Coach Crabb told Parkin at the beginning of the season he “had a chance to make history” by becoming the first Superior athlete to win the two state championships.

“It was crazy when I actually did it,” Parkin said.

In order to reach his goal of getting to Florida, Parkin is hosting a spaghetti feed fundraiser event today at the 4H building in Superior from 5:30-7:00.

There will also be a raffle for a cord of wood, a custom made knife and a basket of Bobcat apparel.

“I like the support, it makes it a lot easier for me,” Parkin said. “It’s good to know people here are cheering me on.”