HENDERSONVILLE – Zalen McCraw didn’t want to celebrate the achievement of a lifetime.
The Polk County senior began Tuesday’s wrestling meet at Hendersonville needing just one win to establish a new school record for career victories. But when that victory arrived via forfeit against Mountain Heritage, the senior made his wishes clear – no celebration, no photos, nothing until he earned a win on the mat.
That moment, though, wasn’t long in coming. McCraw dominated Madison’s Judson Beaver in scoring an 18-1 victory by technical fall for what would be his 166th career win, putting him two ahead of former record holder Austin Ollis. He added another later against Hendersonville to complete a perfect evening.
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“It means a lot,” McCraw said of the career record. “I’ve been wrestling since seventh grade, so I’ve been putting in hard, hard work. Putting in the work in club and after, just putting in work for this moment.”
McCraw says he “wasn’t really good” as a freshman when he finished with a 23-24 record. That quickly changed in his sophomore season, when he notched a 43-10 record. McCraw was even better last season, going 57-5 and reaching the state 1A tournament.
“He’s wrestled hard,” said Polk County head coach Mark Emory. “He’s a good leader on the mat and at practice.”
McCraw’s work ethic is the often the first quality that coaches highlight. It’s been constant across his Polk County athletic career, from football field to wrestling mat. McCraw said that’s by design.
“I’m always giving my all, no matter what I do,” he said. “I’ll always give my all, 110 percent, just like my dad says. It’s just work and work. I want to be the best.”
Being among the best in Polk County wrestling history typically means joining an Ollis. Former head football coach Bruce Ollis’ three sons – Jim, Austin and Jordan – established a legacy of excellence for Wolverine wrestling, winning state titles and dominating competition throughout their careers.
To stand with – and now above – those brothers in the record book means much to McCraw.
“Austin was a great wrestler,” McCraw said. “I would love to wrestle him. He was so good. He’d probably whip my butt, but I’m just glad I can be compared to him.”
Racking up more than 160 wins is nice, but it’s not the accomplishment that McCraw wants most. He would love nothing more than to emulate Austin Ollis in another area – winning a state title in his senior season.
“I hope to have a good postseason for regional and state,” he said.
