Ferndale

Wrestler hopes to achieve his ultimate goal

By Christian Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» Click on image to view full size « Photo by David Schreiber Ferndale High senior Chevez Farris, right, shows, from left, Deacon Morgan, 4, and Jace Morgan, 3, how to stretch during a recent practice. The brothers are coach Charlie Morgan’s grandsons, and Farris is the Eagles leading wrestler. Photo by David Schreiber Ferndale High senior Chevez Farris, right, shows, from left, Deacon Morgan, 4, and Jace Morgan, 3, how to stretch during a recent practice. The brothers are coach Charlie Morgan’s grandsons, and Farris is the Eagles leading wrestler.

FERNDALE — Ferndale High senior Chevez Farris has been close.

He’s been on the mat at The Palace of Auburn Hills wrestling in a Division 2 semifinal, just one win away from wrestling for his ultimate goal, a state championship.

In fact, Farris has been in the position twice, finishing third in the state last season and sixth as a sophomore, both times at 171 pounds.

“It’s driven me a lot. I’m really dedicated to win a state title this year,” Farris said during a break from practice Jan. 24. “The last two years, I came up short and lost in the semifinals. I hate to lose like that. When I’m on that podium, I don’t want anyone to be higher than me.”

At press time, Farris was 28-2 overall; one of the losses came by decision in the Oakland County Tournament final.

“Right after states, I knew it wasn’t OK to take third, not to me,” Farris said. “I had some good competition, but I know what I did wrong, and I knew right after what I needed to do, and that’s what I’ve been working toward this year.

“I know how to manage my matches better. I know the position I have to put myself in, and I know how much harder I need to work. I won’t come up short this year.”

Working hard is commonplace to Farris, according to his coach Charlie Morgan.

The veteran coach has guided his share of wrestlers to individual state-title matches — the last being Ryan Watts in 2010 — and he said Farris exhibits the common thread that they all share.

“Most of our successful wrestlers have a combination of speed, quickness and strength. He has all of those attributes,” Morgan said. “There’s also, obviously, the natural, physical gifts they have along with their work ethic and time they put in outside the regular season. He’s done all of those things.”

On top of that, the coach said, Farris is a leader for the Eagles. The squad is 1-1 in the Oakland Activities Association Gold Division.

Morgan said Farris often works with the freshmen during practice, helping them to realize their potential, something he plans to do this season.

“Since I was in high school, I’ve always had the goal of being state champion, and this year, it’s a realistic goal,” he said.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Christian Davis at cdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1062.