Former Clarke Central High School head wrestling coach Timothy Stoudenmire (left), senior varsity wrestler Me’Shai Coleman (middle) and Life University head men’s wrestling coach Omi Acosta (right) pose for a photo in the Gladiator Gallery on Jan. 16 following Coleman’s signing of a Letter of Intent to wrestle at LU. Stoudenmire, who coached Coleman for four years, spoke at the reception. “When I started talking to coach Acosta last year about Me’Shai — I do that reluctantly when you talk about kids to coaches, because you don’t wanna burn bridges. You don’t wanna sell kids who aren’t gonna go there,” Stoudenmire said. “And I knew absolutely that everything I was telling him about Me’Shai was the truth, and that he will excel there and that he will go to class, he’ll do the right thing and he’s gonna be a hammer in wrestling.” Photo by Ana Aldridge
A signing reception was held for Clarke Central High School senior varsity wrestler Me’Shai Coleman on Jan. 16 in the Gladiator Gallery.
In the Gladiator Gallery on Jan. 16, Clarke Central High School senior varsity wrestler Me’Shai Coleman was joined by his family and friends to sign his Letter of Intent to wrestle at Life University.
To commence the signing ceremony, Athletic Director Jon Ward, former head wrestling coach Timothy Stoudenmire and head wrestling coach Shane McCord spoke about their relationships with Coleman, commending him on his athletic success and character.
“Me’Shai stepped right in (his eighth grade) year, learned how to handle me, we learned how to handle each other, and we started on a four-year journey where we grew as wrestlers and coaches,” Stoudenmire said in his speech. “I’m proud of this day. I’m proud of the opportunities that he’s given himself by working real hard, and it just makes me proud to be his former coach and to follow him over the next five years.”
McCord, who coached Coleman for the first time this season, spoke after Stoudenmire.
“He has been a pleasure to coach. He is very outstanding and he is exemplary of what a student-athlete should be. Me’Shai made this wrestling season one of the best seasons as my first year as head coach,” McCord said. “This young man right here, he’s dedicated to his sport, he’s dedicated to his team, and most important, he’s dedicated to his family.”
Clarke Central High School head wrestling coach Shane McCord (left), senior varsity wrestler Me’Shai Coleman (middle) and former head wrestling coach Timothy Stoudenmire (right) pose for a photo in the Gladiator Gallery on Jan. 16 after Coleman’s signing of a Letter of Intent to wrestle at Life University. Both Stoudenmire and McCord spoke at Coleman’s signing reception. “He made me a better coach, he gave me a lot of puzzle pieces to figure out how to work, I hope along the way I imparted some knowledge and wisdom on both wrestling and life for him that will serve him well,” Stoudenmire said in his speech. Photo by Ana Aldridge
Coleman spoke last, thanking his family and coaches for their support, and then signed his Letter of Intent, met with a round of applause from the room.
“It was really nerve-wracking because I don’t like speaking in front of people, but I was really grateful for the turnout that I got,” Coleman said. “The signing went really smooth and I’m glad that I can further my career in wrestling.”
