Ilwaco’s Chris Wood, who competed as a student athlete in 2017, will coach Naselle’s new wrestling program.

Naselle has hustled to begin a high school wrestling program after a group of students expressed enthusiasm.

The new coach is Chris Wood, who graduated from Ilwaco High School in 2019 and enjoyed success as a wrestler.

“I’m excited to help get the wrestling program off the ground and rolling,” he said. “I wrestled all four years at Ilwaco and thought I had enough knowledge to help out and give the kids an opportunity to compete at the high-school level.”

The Naselle-Grays River School Board meeting room was abuzz with enthusiasm in October when parents and students lobbied for a program to be started — and again in November when research on costs was presented and the board agreed to advertise for a coach.

Students Caesar Garcia, Larry Malchow and Jason Gardner were among those demonstrating their support.

Ilwaco head coach Larry Kemmer, who coached Wood, was delighted with the news. He immediately loaned the NHS program a wrestling mat to get started. Practices began Dec. 9.

“It’s a good fit and he will do well,” Kemmer said.

A schedule of meets is being developed and will be announced when ready.