Varsity Q&A: C. Milton Wright wrestler Kane Desch closing in on 100 career wins
Feb. 2—By Sam Cohn — scohn@baltsun.com
PUBLISHED:February 2, 2024 at 5:30 a.m.| UPDATED:February 6, 2024 at 12:38 p.m.
Each day, when Kane Desch strolls toward the wrestling room at C. Milton Wright, he passes a slew of boards hung up on the wall. Listed on those boards are every Mustang who accomplished a certain feat.
One board recognizes all the Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference champions. Another has all those who placed at states. Desch is forever inscribed in each, but the junior's name isn't yet written on the one for C. Milton Wright wrestlers who notched 100 career wins. Not yet, at least. Desch sits at 99, primed to join eight others in the school's history. He'll have a shot at hitting the mark Friday night against Manchester Valley.
"I'm trying to get up on all the boards," he said. "It'd be nice to reach that one and get that mark." After joining the century club, he has his eyes set on the final yardstick: the regional champions board.
Desch recently spoke with The Aegis about his development as a wrestler, now closing in on 100 career wins. (Editor's note: Some questions and answers have been lightly edited for clarity.)
What would younger Kane say if you told him you'd eventually reach this mark and be on all those boards?
I was surprised I did it so fast. I wasn't expecting to have it done this quick. Most people end up getting it in their senior year. I was surprised to know that this year, I'd be able to do it.
Do you have a favorite or most memorable win from your career?
Winning UCBACs [at 106 pounds] was pretty nice. It was mainly the fact that it was the first bracket sheet I've ever gotten. I've won multiple tournaments but I had never won one that gave out a bracket sheet. And that bracket sheet was something I worked towards for a long time. Right now, it's hung up in my room.
Since your freshman year, how do you feel you've evolved as a wrestler?
I've definitely grown in many aspects. I do way more than I did as a freshman. I'm more able to take risks. As a freshman, I kinda just went out there and was more stiff. I didn't want to do bigger moves, trying to stay toward the basics. Now, I'm starting to expand a little bit. New opponents show different challenges that I have to change my style for.
What's the most important lesson you've learned in your wrestling career?
I'd say to never underestimate anyone. And learn from your mistakes. It's helped by showing that if you can grow from your past mistakes, you can come back and beat kids that you've lost to in the past. That's how you show improvement.
How would you describe yourself as a wrestler at this point in your career?
I would describe myself as an aggressive wrestler. Someone who doesn't let up and keeps going for the full six minutes.
Your team is a tight-knit group loaded with talent. How has that helped in your career?
It's helped tremendously. Each team member is able to help each other. And they'll tell each other when they're slacking off and when they need to get back to work. Everyone's got each other's back.
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