Sanford High School’s Wrestling Coach Nate Smith was selected for the Maine State Wrestling Coach of the Year
By Brianna Burby, STAFF WRITER
Sept. 23, 2024
SANFORD, Maine – Sanford High School Wrestling Coach Nate “Smitty” Smith was selected as the Maine State Wrestling Coach of the Year. The honor comes from a pool of outstanding wrestling coaches across the state.
Smitty has been a wrestling coach in Sanford for 25 years. He began his career as a volunteer, then moved up to assistant coach in 2009. He took two years off in 2017 when his daughter was born.
He states that he has always known that he wanted to coach and work with teenagers since he was in high school. His greatest influences were his Cross Country Coach, and his Wrestling Coach.
“Coach Kevin Way was always a great person to speak to for advice and mentoring” Smitty said, noting Mike Fallon was a big influence as well.
According to Smitty, his mission for himself has always been to make an impact on an athlete’s heart first by “Creating a strong, positive impact on their lives, then working on athletics.” He believes once he has that trust between one another then everything else can follow.
“This accomplishment makes me feel humbled and honored,” Smitty said. He feels extremely fortunate to have coached with such tremendous assistants like Brent Coleman, Chris Hill, and Paul Rivard.
“I am only as good as the phenomenal people around me,” he said.
Smitty believes that wrestling is going to have a strong season this year. Including strong veteran leadership with Richie Simpson, James Chaplick, Canton Hill, and Isaiah Phillips. A group of strong underclassmen include Gabe Roberge, Ricky Callis, and Ryder Lachance.
The girls team is growing and rapidly improving, stating that he is very excited to see what the girls can do this year.
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