MHSA(Q&)A: Hudson wrestling coach Scott Marry

February 26, 2012

Although updating the records remains a work in progress, it’s fair to say few have accomplished in Michigan high school wrestling what Hudson coach Scott Marry has over the last 24 seasons.

He’s one of just a handful of coaches who have won more than 600 matches – he’s 630-135 after this Finals weekend – and Hudson is one of only three programs to win four or more consecutive team championships since 1988, the first season MHSAA team titles were decided by dual matches instead of the Individual Finals results. The Tigers beat Shelby 33-22 in Saturday’s Division 4 Final at Battle Creek’s Kellogg Arena.

Marry is a Hudson alum, having graduated in 1983 before attending Adrian College. He also coached the junior varsity football team for 11 seasons.

Of roughly 270 students at Hudson High, 27 were on the wrestling team this season, including Marry’s son Devan – who has signed with Eastern Michigan for next season. We caught up with Scott Marry after Saturday’s championship match.

It’s four titles in a row.

I’m numb right now. I’m lost for words. I’m happy for these seniors. Most of these seniors were on that football team (in 2010) that was a state title also, so they’ve won five state titles. They have five championship rings. They were in another (football) Finals against Traverse City (St. Francis, in 2009). So they’ve been in seven Finals contests.

About 10 percent of your school’s enrollment is on the wrestling team. How were you able to create so much interest in the program?

They want to be part of something successful. The kids know that hard work pays off. They really do. This didn’t start this year. I’ve had these kids in the program for years. Every one of these seniors, I’ve known them seven or eight years. They’re my boy’s best friends. That’s a huge advantage.

And I don’t think that just because the senior class was so good that this is going to be the end of Hudson wrestling, by any means. But those seniors had a big part to do with what happened today.

Although you’ve won four straight titles, is this one more special because you know these seniors so well?

Definitely. We’ve been bawling all day. We’ve been hugging and crying and saying good-bye, and promising each other that no matter what – win, lose or draw – we were going to have these same feelings for each other when we were done. But this is a little bit sweeter. I get to say good-bye to six guys that I’ve shared a lot of time with. And in a good way – it’s a positive saying good-bye, not a negative one. I’m going to miss them all.

What keeps you coming back every year?

The student athletes. The community. … I think, to give these kids something to look forward to, something to work for, that’s the least I can do.

Performance of the Week: Detroit Mumford's Ja'Marcus Smith

March 11, 2022

Detroit Mumford wrestlingJa'Marcus Smith ♦ Detroit Mumford
Wrestling ♦ Senior

Smith entered last weekend’s Individual Wrestling Finals at Ford Field as the top seed at 103 pounds in Division 2, and he finished Saturday as the first Finals champion from the Detroit Public School League. He improved to 19-1 this season with a major decision in his first match, a decision in his semifinal, then a pin in his championship match to claim the title.

A three-time Finals placer, Smith previously finished fifth at 112 pounds as a junior and eighth at 112 as a sophomore. He was leading Saturday’s championship match 10-1 before getting the pin with one second left in the final period. He won 10 matches by fall this season and six more by technical fall.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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2021-22 Honorees

March 2: David Schaberg, Holt bowling - Report
Feb. 24:
Adelaide McRoberts, Kingsford swimming - Report
Feb. 17:
Christopher Kavanaugh, Petoskey hockey - Report
Feb. 10:
Ira Jenkins, Whitehall wrestling - Report

Feb. 3: Emma Stewart, Salem gymnastics - Report
Jan. 28:
Tyler Ray, Pinckney swimming - Report
Jan. 21:
Elle Craven, Traverse City Central skiing - Report
Jan. 14:
Nevaeh Williams, Mount Clemens basketball - Report
Dec. 2:
Lucas Dunn, Chelsea football - Report
Nov. 25:
Riley Nugent, Plainwell swimming - Report
Nov. 18:
Harper Murray, Ann Arbor Skyline volleyball - Report
Nov. 11:
Abby VanderKooi, Muskegon Western Michigan Christian cross country - Report
Nov. 4:
Arianne Olson, Holland West Ottawa cross country - Report
Oct. 28:
Jack Guggemos, Okemos soccer - Report
Oct. 21:
Sachiv Kumar, Northville tennis - Report
Oct. 14:
Kate Brody, Grand Blanc golf - Report
Oct. 7:
Lilly Nelson, Negaunee tennis - Report
Sept. 30:
Stella Chapman, Ann Arbor Pioneer swimming - Report
Sept. 23:
Riley Hough, Hartland cross country - Report
Sept. 16:
Josie Bloom, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep volleyball - Report

(Top photo courtesy of the Detroit Mumford wrestling program; head shot by HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)