Jeff Harrison
The Edmond Sun

EDMOND - The sound of an official’s whistle does wonders to Tyler Shaw. Before a wrestling match, the Edmond Santa Fe heavyweight is the stereotypical gentle giant. But once that piercing sound hits Shaw’s ears, a violent rage takes over his body.

“It’s just something I do in football too,” Shaw said. “You can be calm outside and then once it’s time to go you have to be ready to snap into and it give it everything you’ve got.”

While Shaw has brought down opponents like a seasoned veteran this year, nothing could be further from the truth.  Shaw, who was a standout nose guard on the football team, thought about taking up wrestling in the past but finally gave it a try this season with some convincing from head coach Tim Draper, who also serves as the freshmen football coach.

“Coach Draper just talked to me about it and told me I could help out the team and I’d like it,” said Shaw who signed a football scholarship with East Central University. “And I thought it’d help me stay in shape for college football next year.”

Draper’s eye for talent was right on with Shaw. The first-year wrestler quickly took to the sport and is currently the seventh ranked heavyweight in Class 6A. Shaw has also developed into one of the Wolves’ top wrestlers with a team-best 22-13 record and 17 falls.

“What he’s doing as a first-year wrestler is pretty phenomenal,” Draper said. “He’s very coachable and he just enjoys it. I just wish we’d had him when he was younger.”

But it’s not just Shaw’s accolades on the mat that have impressed Draper. The senior has also been a leader and role model for the young Wolves squad.

“He’s probably been one of the more vocal leaders with young kids,” Draper said. “He’s been a blessing and best thing for our young group of kids.”

Shaw admits the success he’s had this season has come as a bit of a surprise, but believes his experience on the defensive line helped ease the transition.

“Being on the line you have to work with your hands a lot and in wrestling you have to use your hands well,” Shaw said. “And some of the takedowns are like tackling.”

Draper has also been a bit startled by Shaw this year, but believes he has a good chance to qualify for the state tournament. The first-year wrestler has beaten some of the best heavyweights in the state this season, but will have to replicate that today when the Class 6A West Regional Tournament kicks off at Yukon High School. Shaw will be joined by five of the top heavyweights at the regional tournament, including Norman North’s Colton Cline, Muskogee’s Ryan Lester and Hunter Davis of Choctaw, who are all ranked ahead of him.

“He’s beaten some of the guys he’ll face, but it’s a real tough regional, so hopefully he can beat them again,” Draper said.

All three Edmond schools will compete at the 6A West Regional in Yukon, while Deer Creek will host the 5A West Regional. The first rounds are set to begin at noon today with the semifinal and consolation rounds to follow at 6 p.m. Saturday’s action will start again at noon with consolation rounds and will wrap up the finals at 6 p.m.