Orange Park High School wrestlers are expected to follow three rules: Be respectful. Be a student athlete. Be on time. Head Coach Chad Parker implemented these standards when he accepted the position in 2006. They are simplistic, but that was intentional. “Too many rules, too many chances to fail,” says Parker, now in his eighth year back with the Raiders (Parker graduated from Orange Park in 1998).
The rules are applicable to all areas of student life, whether it is in the classroom or the wrestling room, the latter being a second-story space above the ROTC building where the music is loud and the humidity greets you at the bottom of the stairs.
Parker’s philosophy has its merits, the most recent being last season’s 2A District championship. But the ultimate goal of his program is to “create an environment that molds young men into gentlemen, scholars, and athletes.” It is an admirable mission statement embodied by a strong senior class, led by Devon Brooks, who currently competes at 225 pounds, and Frank Waters, now at 170 pounds.
Last year, Brooks won both the conference and regional championships at 285 pounds, while tallying a 2-2 record at the state tournament. Waters placed third and second at 152 pounds, respectively, and went 2-1 at state.
Most of the 2014 class has come up together through the Kids’ Club, Orange Park’s youth team. The program is offered to elementary-age children and acts as a feeder system to the high school. Waters is a product of the Kids’ Club and owes a great deal of his success to assistant coach William Saunders, who is also an Orange Park graduate. “I feed off Coach Saunders a lot,” says Waters. “He was my first wrestling coach, ever. When he first started coaching, he started at Lakeside Junior High, where I went. The first year he was there was the first year I ever wrestled. I’ve been wrestling with him my entire career.”
Brooks and Waters are proof the rules work. But the energy surrounding the team is far less tense than it would seem. During his tenure Parker has revised his coaching methods from that of a drill sergeant to more of caring father figure, or at the very least, a cool uncle.
He once approached each athlete the same way, conveying his thoughts and criticisms at high volumes from close distances. But experience has taught him to cater to the individual needs of his players, and his relationships have improved. Mike Miller quit the team before his senior season because of his inability to get along with Parker. The two have since mended fences, and Miller is currently an assistant coach.
Parker’s intensity is balanced by Saunders’ more laid-back temperament. Parker is the storm. Saunders is the quiet right before and immediately after. Parker doubles as the strength coach. Saunders is the tactician, focused more on technique and savvy.
Their combined efforts have translated to Raider wins. Last season, along 
with the success experienced by Brooks and Waters, Cory Van Dorn finished his 2013 campaign undefeated with a record of 45-0, capturing the 182-pound state title. Van Dorn was primed for another dominant season before tearing his ACL during the fifth game of the football season. His injury shook team morale and changed the chemistry inside the locker room. “[Van Dorn] was the leader,” says Brooks. “When he got hurt, I had to step up. And I have Frank with me, and we all push [the younger guys].”
They have their differences. Waters has an iPhone. Brooks prefers the Android operating system. Waters drinks Gatorade. Brooks just changed his mind to Powerade after he learned in Anatomy class it contains more electrolytes. But they’ve created a balance similar to that of Parker and Saunders crucial in carrying the rest of their team into the postseason. They draw inspiration from each other and the rest of the team. “[My teammates] are the reason I do this,” says Brooks. “They’ve given me the love for it, and they’re the reason I keep going and getting better. I want to impress them, make them proud.” 
Orange Park High School
Orange Park, Florida
Brandon IbarraStrong Senior Class Leads Orange Park Wrestling
Devon Brooks and Frank Waters
Player Spotlight/Jacksonville/January 2014
Strong Senior Class Leads Orange Park Wrestling
