Enochs High wrestler Kent shines in his senior season

Enochs High School senior McCoy Kent wrapped up his wrestling career on the raised stage at Bakersfield’s Rabobank Arena, watched by about 6,000, competing for a CIF state title.

It was exactly as he envisioned.

“Just the feeling of being out there was great,” Kent reflected. “I had that experience. I was blessed to wrestle in that match.”

The result, an 11-3 loss in the 138-pound final to Paradise senior Wyatt Wyckoff, wasn’t what Kent planned, of course. But three weeks after his epic 52-2 season ended, Kent sees the big picture. And it’s decorated by all things good.

He’ll continue his career on scholarship at Northern Illinois, which hopes to see the nonstop improvement Kent showed through his four years at Enochs. It took him to the elite level of California wrestling and, eventually, The Bee’s Stanislaus District Wrestler of the Year.

Kent’s career unfolded like a well-paced Broadway production – quiet start, momentous middle, electric climax:

▪ As a freshman: Runner-up in the Modesto Metro Conference, third at the Sac-Joaquin Section divisional, injured at Masters.

▪ As a sophomore: First at MMCs, third at the divisional, second at Masters, 0-2 at state.

▪ As a junior: First at MMCs, second at the divisional, third at Masters, third at state.

▪ As a senior: First at MMCs, first at the divisional, first at Masters, second at state.

One match during his sophomore season sent strong messages about what was ahead. Kent defeated Wyckoff, who eventually reached his first of three consecutive state finals.

“I watched him that night at Bakersfield and I thought, ‘I beat him,’” Kent said. “I figured I could make it, too.”

Kent, ranked No. 1 in the state for most of the season, peaked at the right time. Incredibly, he was taken down by only four wrestlers in 54 matches. Before the state final, his only loss was a one-point heartbreaker in double overtime to two-time state champion Israel Saavedra of Modesto High.

One of his most pleasing titles came in the finals of the Doc Buchanan in Clovis, one of the nation’s most prestigious regular-season tournaments. There, Kent burnished his credentials with a 3-2 win in the final over eventual third-place state medalist Jeremy Thomas of Santiago-Corona. The distinctive cowboy hat, awarded to all champions at the Doc B, stands out in Kent’s collection of medals and trophies.

Kent geared up for Masters and state by working out with Saavedra, a rival but also a longtime friend. It no doubt helped him weather the demanding draw at Bakersfield. Kent outlasted Evan Wick of San Marino 5-4 in the quarterfinals, then decisioned Khristian Olivas of Clovis 5-2 in the semis.

He doesn’t dwell on the loss to Wyckoff, though he acknowledges the better wrestler won that night. That said, Kent can’t wait for the ultimate test at the NCAA level.

“I’m hungry to go there (to Northern Illinois) and make some history,” he said. “I’m joining a young team that will get better and better. The coach says I have an upside.”

That’s not news to local wrestling fans.

This story was originally published March 27, 2015 at 11:40 PM with the headline "Enochs High wrestler Kent shines in his senior season."