Brake takes over wrestling program

~ Central hired a familiar face to coach the wrestling team.

Even though he's only 24 years old, James Brake has been involved with the Central High School wrestling program the past five years.

That's why Brake believes he is ready to take over as the Tigers' head coach.

Brake was recently promoted from a Central assistant to the top spot. He replaces Josh Crowell, who stepped down after eight years leading the Tigers to become a Central assistant principal.

"I'm really excited about this opportunity," Brake said.

Brake, a native of Union, Mo., graduated from Southeast Missouri State in 2006.

During his four years at Southeast, Brake helped with Central's wrestling program, including two years as junior high coach.

After earning his degree from Southeast, Brake spent last season as a full-time assistant coach with the Tigers. And now he's the top man.

"It's kind of been a lifelong dream of mine, to be a head coach," said Brake, who teaches government and world history at Central. "To have this opportunity at 24, I feel I'm pretty blessed. It's really exciting."

Brake said having been around Central's program the past five years should make his transition to head coach smooth.

"I know everybody. I've been working with these kids," Brake said. "I know the program pretty well now, the kids and the parents.

"And working under coach Crowell, I learned so much. He put in a ton of work over the years. I've seen from him what it takes to build a good program."

Crowell led Central's wrestlers to unprecedented heights, including three straight winning seasons during one stretch. He also started little league and junior high programs.

Crowell believes he is leaving the Tigers in good hands.

"From my perspective, everything I put into the program, I feel very comfortable with him taking over the program," Crowell said. "I think he's going to be a very good head coach.

"It was a tough decision to leave coaching, but I felt this [being assistant principal] was a good opportunity for me. And it made my decision easier, knowing he'll be taking over."

Central athletic director Mark Ruark said the decision to promote Brake was an easy one.

"We felt very fortunate we had somebody in the system to take over," Ruark said. "We feel like James is a very talented young coach and I look for the transition to be very smooth."

All-state soccer

The area is well represented on the Missouri State High School Soccer Coaches Association all-state teams.

Notre Dame, which lost in the Class 1 quarterfinals, placed senior forward Meridith Medlin on the first team, sophomore midfielder Mindy Siebert on the second team and senior forward Destiny Dirnberger on the honorable mention list.

Jackson, which like Notre Dame won its district before losing in the Class 2 sectional round, placed junior forward Chelsea Dale on the first team and junior midfielder Jenni Tenholder on the second team.

Also in Class 1, Perryville junior forward Kendra Schilli and St. Vincent junior defender Kelsey Cissell made the second team.

Sikeston junior forward Jordi Ferrell was voted to the Class 1 first team while Sikeston sophomore forward Abbi Keefer made honorable mention.

In the final state rankings, Notre Dame was sixth in Class 1 and St. Vincent 14th.

Jackson wound up 14th in Class 2.