Takedown Report

Redden preaches patience to help first-time wrestlers at Virginia HS

By Mike Finn

Greg Redden has coached at the highest level in the state of Virginia and understands what it takes for a high school wrestler to reach the highest level. “I’ve had national prep finalists and multiple state champs,” said Redden, referring to when he coached at Woodside High School in Newport News, Va., in the 1990s. “It was a brand-new school and we didn’t have a senior class my first year. Most of the kids I got had never wrestled before, but by the time they are juniors and seniors, they were competing at the state level.”
Getting the most out of high school wrestlers, who don’t start until they are in high school, is also something Redden faced had when he returned to his native Alexandria, Va., and coached an even less experienced group at Bishop Ireton High School for a second time three seasons ago. “This is a small school, where nine out of 10 kids have never wrestled before,” said Redden, who has a roster of 22 student-athletes. “This year was super abnormal. I have three kids who have two or three years of experience. Normally for most of them, it’s their first time in the process and most of these kids think of wrestling as the WWE and jumping off ropes. They don’t understand how structured everything is.”

This story appeared in the Dec. 25 issue of WIN Magazine. Click on the cover or call 888-305-0606 to subscribe.

Facing such a challenge takes patience from a coach and Redden credits the legendary high school wrestling coach Gary Embrey, who coached Redden to a state championship in 1989 while wrestling for Embrey at Edison High School. He also said he has some upperclassmen who serve as role models for his younger wrestlers, but even the experienced wrestler needs help. “It’s about enjoying the process,” he said. “You can’t run before you walk. Learning how to break things down, where one move takes five different steps. We’re not really focused on winning and losing and just making sure they have the attitude and effort, which is so big. “No matter if they walk off the mat as a winner or loser, I’m going to find something positive … more at … https://www.win-magazine.com/2025/01/15/redden-preaches-patience-to-help-first-time-wrestlers-at-virginia-hs/

January 27, 2025 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | news, sports, wrestling