By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
SUAMICO – Bay Port High School has won five Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) team state championships over the years.
The school has had many other memorable sports moments, including a wrestling match Feb. 1, 2018, in Pulaski.
On that day, Bay Port senior, Drake Anderson, then a freshman, helped the Pirates win the Fox River Classic Conference title with a pin of Lucas Gracyalny, a state-ranked wrestler in the 182-pound weight class.
With the teams tied 24-24 entering the last match of the night, Anderson trailed Gracyalny 6-2 after the first period before executing a throw to set up the pin.
“It’s funny,” said Anderson, who currently wrestles at 195. “I still get asked about that moment three years later. It’s something I’ll never forget, but I don’t feel the highlight of my career should be a pin-throw my freshman year. Some people say it was lucky and others don’t, but I do think I had some luck executing that move.”
Anderson said the moment helped solidify his worth on the team.
“I’d like to think the seniors on the team liked me, but after that point, I turned a few heads,” he said. “The moment made the team appreciate my value and was important to the seniors.”
Anderson advanced to the WIAA Division 1 state tournament last season and finished fourth.
“I have a legitimate shot at getting to state and winning a title this year,” he said. “Most of my tough competition from last season graduated. I don’t know too much about what’s out there across the state, though. Some guys move up or down in weight during the season.”
Not one to get caught up with numbers, Anderson said he doesn’t follow the rankings.
“That stuff is for the fans,” he said. “I have no clue what I’m ranked.”
For the record, Anderson is ranked No. 4 in the latest wiwisconsin.com poll.
The Pirates are coached by Brad Shefchik.
“Coach is one heck of a guy,” said Anderson. “He was my confirmation sponsor and is a relatable person. At the same time, he’s serious and can be heard.”
Anderson was in talks with a couple of smaller colleges around the Midwest, but his wrestling career will end after the high school season is done in February.
“I’ve had opportunities, but I emailed the coaches back and said, ‘Thanks, but I don’t want to waste your time,’” he said. “Unless you get a full-ride scholarship, it’s still going to cost tons of money. I’d rather not go to a four-year school and be $70,000 in debt when I graduate.”
Anderson will attend Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) in Green Bay and study plumbing.
“I plan to live at home for a year while attending NWTC,” he said. “But, I don’t want to be the 24-year-old guy living in his parent’s basement, either.”
Anderson recently picked up his 100th career victory.
“It was cool,” he said. “I was sad my family and fans couldn’t see it, but it was simply another match for me. It does show I was consistent during my career.”
Anderson’s mom is Jody, his dad is Mike and his step-dad is Brian.
“All my older sisters went to Notre Dame Academy,” said Anderson. “Autumn played for the Bay Area Ice Bears (hockey team) in 2014 when they won the state title, Alexis wasn’t into sports and Abby also played hockey. My step-brother, Dylan, rides his skateboard.”
Anderson was a member of the varsity football team in 2019 that went to the state title game, but the Pirates moved all their 2020 fall sports to the alternate season being offered this spring.
“I’m not sure about football yet,” he said. “My family wants me to play, but football is secondary to me. It’s not the same as it once was. I’d like to get a jumpstart on life and maybe find a job. I would have played in the fall, but when it got moved to the spring, it turned me off some.”
Anderson’s hobbies include snowmobiling, ice fishing, boating, jet-skiing and riding his four-wheeler.
“I’m not much for sitting inside on the Xbox,” he said.
Anderson, who said he’ll be remembered as a funny person who could have done a little better in school and liked to win, said he lives by a quote from his middle school wrestling coach, Ryan Shefchik.
“Ryan always said, ‘What’s important now,’” said Anderson. “Those three words together spell win. He’d say, ‘If you’re hanging with your buddies, that’s important now. If you’re going to church, that’s important now. If you’re in the wrestling room, that’s important now.’ That quote has stuck with me.”