Whether it’s a pin or a last-second reversal you have six minutes to win, and Hamilton has done both this season.
Now, is that due to the players on the team, their mindset, or possibly the opponents. Everything is a factor when it comes to winning. However, no one can win without a coach who can teach, support, and most importantly lead by example.
Trenton Holyfield’s roots run deep in Hamilton.
“I attended Hamilton schools my entire life. I started high school in 2011 and graduated in 2015. I started wrestling when I was five years old.”
Coach Holyfield has lived through the Hamilton life only leaving for a few short years to attend Ferris State University, he started his coaching career as an assistant coach for Remus Chippewa Hills during his time at FSU. Once Graduating From FSU Trenton came back to Hamilton to be an assistant coach for two years, his third year as head coach will come to an end with this 2025 season.
“Coaching at Hamilton is special to me because it is the community I grew up in. I first jumped at the opportunity because of what I thought I knew about coaching wrestling. What I thought I knew was only a fraction of what I know now.”
Anna Ruggles who just started wrestling this 2024-25 season, shared her thoughts on their coach:
“He’s a good teacher, He breaks it down for all of us and always asks if we need to run it back again.”
Similarly, Alyssa Volkers, also new to wrestling this season, expressed a similar sentiment about Coach Holyfield in a separate interview.
Coach Holyfield was also asked about his life as a wrestling coach and what inspired him to be Hamilton’s head wrestling coach
“My life has always revolved around wrestling so I don’t have much recollection of a life without wrestling. There are definitely things I miss out on because of the commitment level wrestling requires. For me, coaching wrestling is far more rewarding than any of the alternatives.”
“What inspires me to coach today is seeing the transformation and growth of young wrestlers. Providing an opportunity for them that will result in a lifetime of useful skills both physically and mentally.”
Wrestling is a team sport…sadly the team didn’t make it to state this year, but wrestling is also an individual sport and Hamilton has 6 individuals that will be going to the state tournament. Hamilton hasn’t had this many wrestlers go to individual states in a long time.
One of those wrestlers, Tyler Block who started wrestling 13 years ago mentioned that his coach “improved his effort and confidence on the mat.”
There are many ways to coach a team, and not every team reaches greatness. However, with the guidance and support of Hamilton’s wrestling coach, Trenton Holyfield, I believe Hamilton has the potential to set and achieve some truly ambitious goals.
