Reeths-Puffer stayed in-house for its new coach this winter, bringing back Brad Cowles as the head man after he led the middle-school Rockets the past few years. Cowles was previously an assistant under Matt Brink, who led the R-P program for 15 seasons through 2021.
Prior to being on Brink’s staff, Cowles ran the R-P youth program, so he’s gotten plenty of time with just about all the Rockets who will be on this season’s team. There is comfort there.
However, Cowles has wasted no time implementing a team concept of “being comfortable being uncomfortable.”
“We’re putting these kids in a lot of tough situations and getting them used to these positions and coming out on top,” Cowles said. “We’ve been doing a lot of bonding with that aspect. We’ve been doing a lot of tough situations the last month and a half with conditioning and preseason stuff.”
Cowles inherits a team with some strong anchor wrestlers to lead the team, including a pair of 2024 Division 1 state qualifiers. The headliner is senior Ian Cook, who is gunning for R-P history this season as he should set the Rocket’s all-time wins record and could become the first Rocket wrestler ever to be all-state four times. He finished third at 132 pounds last year, and his goal is to reach the top of the podium to close his career.
Jake Rozycki enjoyed an outstanding campaign last season as a sophomore, going 49-5 and reaching the state meet. Cowles said he believes Rozycki has the skills to reach the top five on the podium this season.
Also back is Arin Maynard, who narrowly missed the state meet at 106 last season. As is the case for most everyone at the lowest weight class, Cowles said making weight will be one of Maynard’s biggest tests this season, but if he can do it he should be among the contenders in the class.
R-P is also hoping for a rebound season from Sage Secrest, who won 37 matches last season but was unable to qualify for regionals. Cowles said Secrest is locked in this year and is in line for “a breakout season.” He may even wrestle up a weight class or two.
Those four will be the Rockets’ leaders, but Cowles said he’s blessed with a strong lineup top to bottom, including maybe the best freshman class he’s seen since the group that led the R-P run to the state semifinals in 2020.
“We have quite a few good freshmen coming up that will be starters, a handful of sophomores, and a few juniors,” Cowles said. “We’re looking really good and really young.”
Freshman Travis Henderson is a much-ballyhooed young wrestler who’s so good Cowles predicts he’ll win a state title one day - maybe more than one.
“He’s a very gifted athlete,” Cowles said.
Other strong freshmen include the coach’s son, Tanner Cowles, whom Brad has been able to coach for several years. He calls it “a blessing” to be able to coach his son again on the varsity. Clay Rozycki, brother of Jake, is among the freshman class as well, so his bloodlines are obvious, and Aiden Neal is another strong freshman.
The junior class includes Cory Judd, Andrew Corradin, Max Knowlton and Devin Welch. Judd was edged out of the Rocket lineup last season but has worked hard to earn his place since then, and Corradin brings a lot of varsity starting experience. Knowlton hadn’t wrestled before last season and is in line for a big step forward this year. Welch will compete for the starting job at heavyweight; Cowles said he has the build and athleticism and just needs to master the mental game to become a force.
Sophomore returners are led by Hunter Eek, who should make a big improvement from his sub-.500 record last season; Cowles said he has great ability and was in part victimized by being in a very tough 144-pound weight class as a freshman. Also set to contribute are Bryce Muskovin, who’s a strong athlete and was a big factor this fall on the football field; Lyric Stewart; Mason Goodno; and Marcus Moore.
R-P is hopeful to make some noise in the postseason and is confident it will take care of business in the O-K Green Conference. The Rockets’ top competition under the previous league alignment, Zeeland East, is no longer in the conference, so R-P is a strong favorite. Cowles said Byron Center is the most likely team to get in the Rockets’ way. When district and regional time arrives, Hudsonville, Grandville and Rockford will be among the obstacles.
