Athlete of the Week: Owen Covey, Windermere High wrestling

Windermere High’s Owen Covey has a promising sophomore wrestling season ahead of him. He is slotted at No. 21 in Florida per Kabra wrestling’s preseason rankings. 

In his freshman year, Covey earned three gold medals, including at the fourth annual Gauntlet on the Grove, Greyhound Open and the FHSAA Class 3A District 4 tournament.

Following his first season on the mat as a Wolverine, Covey placed second at the Florida AAU States and now looks to continue his success in the 106-pound weight class. 

What do you enjoy most about wrestling? 

I enjoy seeing the progress and growth my teammates and I make throughout the season. I also like how in the sport of wrestling it is you versus your opponent, and the victory is decided based on who wants to win more.

When did you start wrestling, and why did you join? 

I started when I was 5 after seeing a youth wrestling club march in the 4th of July parade and wanting to be like them.

Describe your best memory in wrestling?

My best memory in wrestling was when I was still living in Wisconsin, and I beat someone in the medal round of the youth wrestling state tournament who had beaten me previously that year. My goal that season was to medal at the state tournament, and I accomplished that goal.

What advice would you give someone who just joined wrestling? 

I would say to never give up. Keep pushing yourself and keep practicing. Anything can be achieved with the right attitude and preparation.

What makes being on Windermere’s team special?

I get to do the sport I love with my friends and a great coach. Coach Aaron Drone is a huge part of my success and why I am being interviewed for your paper. It is also special to me as my dad is an assistant coach, and I get to practice with him and have him in my corner with Coach Drone at tournaments.

What is your pre-meet ritual?

Before the start of a tournament, I always eat an orange and drink a homemade electrolyte concoction of water, Celtic salt and honey that my dad makes for me.

Who do you look up to the most? 

I look up to my dad the most, because he was a wrestler in high school, and he is a good role model. This sets the tone of what I can accomplish I put my mind to it. 

What is something new you’d like to learn?

I would like to learn how to speak Portuguese, because it’s a very common language here in Central Florida.

Where would you want to live if you weren’t in Florida?

I would want to live in Wisconsin, because that is where I was born and lived for 12 years before we moved to Florida.

If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money? 

I would buy a house on the Atlantic side of Marathon, along with a large fishing boat, like a 37-foot Freeman, and then I would buy my mom her dream car, which is a matte pink G Wagon.

What future career do you want to have? 

I want to follow in my dad’s footsteps and work as a chemical engineer and help run the family company.

If you had to pick a spirit animal, which would you choose?

I guess I would pick a wolverine, because it’s Windermere’s mascot and a wolverine is a ferocious warrior.

What is your perfect day? 

My perfect day is waking up to my dog licking my face, going downstairs and eating avocado and eggs on toast. Playing football outside with my friends until lunch then going to wrestling practice to sharpen my game. Getting home eating dinner and ice cream then relaxing with some video games with friends.