With a host of colleges throughout the country adding wrestling to their athletic program the opportunities for high school grapplers are increasing every year.
That includes at Durant High where senior Mac Barbush recently took advantage of one of those opportunities by signing a scholarship offer with Rose State College, which is restoring its mat program which was dropped in 1983.
“It’s great when high schoolers get an opportunity to wrestle at the next level and it’s even better when it’s one of our own,” head coach Jim Taylor said of Barbush. “We are extremely proud of him.”
Barbush began wrestling in seventh grade and has steadily excelled in the sport, including lettering all four years with the Durant Lion varsity program. He ranked in the Top 10 in his weight class for three straight years and was a state qualifier at 150 pounds in February while racking up 25 victories on the season.
In addition to his athletic prowess, Barbush has also been accepted as part of the Rose State Presidential Leadership Class.
“I want to thank everyone that came out to support me,” Barbush said. “I’ve got to thank Coach Taylor, my dad and Chaz Polk for pushing me to be the best I could be. I loved my support system at Durant High School and am going to miss it. It was a great experience all four years.
“I really liked the new program at Rose State and am excited to be part of it. They have a great coach that was a national champ at Nebraska. He will help expand my game and make me a better wrestler. It’s exciting to be able to help make a name for Rose State wrestling in a new program.”
