ILWACO – Brad Padgett grew up four houses down from coach Kevin McNulty and his son, Sean McNulty, and Padgett were best of friends and teammates on White River’s state championship wrestling squads.

Last week Padgett revisited the McNultys and served as a clinician to grade, middle, and high school wrestlers during free clinics.

At the middle and high school camp, 16 boys and two girls attended, and for the grade school camp about 20 young people participated. The camps featured drills and taught many basic wrestling moves age-appropriate for each camper. Several wrestlers from the IHS wrestling team served as coaches during the three-day clinic, including Elliot Marcus, who coordinated and led the clinics as a major part of his senior project. The camps were sponsored by a WellSpring mini-grant, Ilwaco Wrestling Federation and K&K Wrestling Camp.

Padgett is currently a student assistant coach at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. His credentials include finishing seventh, fifth, second and first in state for White River High School under McNulty at weights from 160 to 215 pounds. Padgett then became a two-time all-American for Highline Community College by finishing fifth and second in the nation. At St. Cloud, he finished fourth and third in the NCAA Division II level at 184 pounds, again earning all-American honors both seasons.

“Kevin McNulty is the best coach in the country. You guys and gals are very lucky to have him. I couldn’t have achieved what I did without him,” Padgett praised.