Peoria wrestler wants to help restore program

Ryan Turrey started wrestling, in part, because it was in his blood. Watching his older brother, Frankie, go through his grappling career piqued his interest.
As he enters the final months of his wrestling career at Peoria High School, it’s clear the sport is in his soul.
“Since freshman year, it’s something I’ve stayed dedicated to,” Turrey said. “I remember on Thanksgiving I’d go eat with my family. Seven o’clock came and everybody was messing around — I’d go throw my sweats on and I’d go run a couple of miles. It’s something I’ve never strayed too far from because I didn’t want to lose it.”
That level of dedication has led to some sweet rewards. Turrey is the team’s leader, often running the drills at the start of practice and helping younger wrestlers improve their technique.
“The kids look up to him for guidance,” said coach David Garcia. “He’s a great instructor as far as teaching the freshmen and sophomores.”
And, as proved by his performance Saturday at the Peoria Invitational, he’s the Panthers best hope for a state title on the mats.
Turrey finished second in the 160-pound class, reaching the final, where Jacob Graham of Thunderbird pinned him 5:07 into the bout. Garcia said his performance was doubly impressive — it came against a loaded field and Turrey was only a few weeks removed from a debilitating arm injury.
“I told him 'for you to finish runner-up is even better because you’re not at 100 percent yet,’” Garcia said.
It was the highest finish of any Northwest Valley wrestler at the tournament, which included top Arizona schools of all sizes and powerful programs from California, Nevada and New Mexico.
“I knew my take downs were my strongest point, so every time I wrestled, I tried to get as many take downs as I could,” Turrey said. “I studied my opponents and figured out their weak points. It’s a great competition, so it’s a really good tune-up for state.”
Turrey finished third at 154 pounds in the 4A-I individual meet in 2009. He’ll come back at a heavier weight class with confidence — as the field at his school’s invitational is far deeper than his competition for a state title.
The move up to 160 wasn’t planned, Turrey said he planned to go back to 154 but felt more comfortable at this weight. Consequently he’s learning about his competition as he goes along, though he said Vail Cienega senior Sid Stuffle is a top contender at 160.
Turrey said he enjoys scouting his opponents. The mental side of the sport appeals to him, as well as the fact that kids of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds can be successful.
“It’s not about what you’ve got in wrestling — obviously some people are gifted with amazing athleticism — whatever you have, you’re tall, you’re short, you can use it and make the best of it,” Turrey said. “It looks like a fight, but its strategic.”
Garcia said the strongest aspects of Turrey’s mat game are his intelligence and his ability to adapt.
“When you talk to him, you can see that he understands and he implements anything you tell him,” Garcia said.
For the second straight year, Turrey will have a physical advantage as well. He built up his endurance running cross country for the Panthers.
“Cross country and wrestling isn’t too unusual. Back when wrestling was popular (here) they would all go to cross country,” Turrey said. “It really helped my lungs. Cross country builds more of your slow-twitch muscles — so you lose a bit of speed — but you do get your lungs, so you can go the full six minutes. With your speed, you can build up in a few weeks.”
Though Peoria’s track coaches would like to get Turrey to run some distance events, he’s leaning toward taking a break. Unlike many high school seniors, he knows what field he wants to get into and how he wants to give back to his alma mater.
After graduating in May, Turrey plans to work as a nurse in a hospice or a similar facility. Like wrestling, his brother Frankie’s interest in nursing preceded his own.
His brother’s experiences and his enjoyment of the nursing classes at Peoria helped Ryan pick a career path.
“He likes it a lot. The pay’s great, the hours are flexible,” Ryan Turrey said. “And I like helping people.”
When he’s not working, Turrey plans on helping the Peoria wrestling program reach its former glory. The Panthers claimed four straight state 4A titles from 1996 to 1999, earning a national ranking along the way.
“A lot of the guys that come back, they know what it used to be like. I just like to listen to the stories about Peoria and it makes me feel good. I just want to come back and make it like that,” Turrey said. “That’s probably my main goal is to build the program back. I want to make it successful again.”