Two wrestling icons of FHN will be leaving the school at the end of the year, one going to the next level, the other ending his career, and they both come from the same family. Senior Sam Ritchie plans to wrestle at Mizzou as a walk-on nextyear, while his father, Harold Ritchie, is retiring. So far, Sam has been a state qualifier every year of his high school career. He finished in the top eight one year and has also been a conference champion. Sam will be hoping to improve his skills this season before he goes on to Mizzou, one of the top ten wrestling programs this season.

“Everyone is gonna be either on the same level as me or better,” Sam said. “So the competition is gonna be a lot tougher and I have to get prepared for that.”

As Sam leaves FHN for college, his dad, Harold Ritchie, who also wrestled at Mizzou, will be leaving FHN for retirement. Harold has coached at FHN since the school was first opened in 1987. Coach Ritchie be leaving FHN with a heavy heart after Sam moves on.

“I know I’m gonna miss it,” Harold said. “At the same time, it’s about time to move on, do something different.”

Coach Ritchie has been praised for his time at FHN, which has seen the Knights take one team State championship, ten individual State championships, one Conference championship, and has seen over 100 State qualifiers. Harold has been very influential on Sam’s wrestling career by helping and developing Sam’s wrestling skills by teaching him techniques and styles. He has helped Sam a lot according to both Sam and Coach Chris Brown.

“He’s been teaching Sam techniques since I think he came out of the womb,” Brown said. “Harold knows what it takes to become a State champion and wrestle at the collegiate level, which his dad did as well.”

As a walk-on at Mizzou, Sam will need to work hard to earn a starting spot. Sam has already started his preparations to try to earn a spot as a starter by working hard in the offseason.

“During the summer just waking up early in the morning and going on a run or going out to lift weights,” Sam said. “It’s the things you do in the offseason that make the difference.”

Ever since Sam has started wrestling, his dad has been there to support and push him. Sam feels that his dad has played a big part in his wrestling career and he believes that he will continue to play a part in his career in the future.

“He’s always been there for me,” Sam said. “Pushing me and doing everything he can to help me.”

As he prepares to wrestle in college, Sam will need to learn to adapt to the new surroundings. He will need to get used to the more intense environment that is waiting for him at Mizzou. He’s received help from his father and many coaches from around the state to help him prepare for the challenges ahead.

“I feel like wrestling for Mizzou is gonna give me my greatest chance to be a national champion,” Sam said. “Because wrestling in college, that’s the ultimate goal is to be a national champion, and I feel like with the atmosphere there, the team, the coaching staff, it’s gonna be my best chance.”