A McNary wrestler recently won two college scholarships, one dedicated to a legendary coach from the program’s past.
Jessica Cottings, a senior who has committed to Linfield University for wrestling, won the $2,000 Cy Bellock scholarship and the Capitol City Scholarship, a four-year $8,000 award.
She was ecstatic when she heard the news.
“It’s so great,” she said, “I really do need this money.”
Cottings plans to major in nursing.
Although NCAA Division III schools aren’t allowed to offer athletic scholarships, students can receive merit based and private scholarships. Cottings plans to use the money for commuting between wrestling practice and Linfield’s nursing complex in Portland.
Sam Martin, a McNary English teacher and head wrestling coach, said Cottings was a three-time regional placer, taking third last season. She qualified for state in a hyper-competitive bracket – 100 pounds – and ended her career with “close to 80 career wins,” Martin said.
Doug Ziebart, who organized the scholarship with the McNary College and Career center, wrestled and graduated from McNary in 1972.
“I was fortunate enough to get a scholarship to Oregon State for wrestling,” he explained. “And it ultimately changed my life – how I think, how I do business, and any other activity.”
As a construction worker at the tail end of his career, Ziebart started both scholarships to give back to Oregon wrestlers. The scholarships are only open to wrestlers in the Salem-Keizer School District who sign to compete at an Oregon college.
“It probably is limiting some of our applicants, but I want the enthusiasm for the sport to become more alive within the state,” Ziebart said.
In the last six months, he raised over $100,000 for the two scholarships.
The scholarship dedicated to Cy Bellock honors an instrumental coach from McNary’s past. According to Ziebart, Bellock, who coached at McNary when the school first opened in 1965 after a five-year coaching career, galvanized support for Oregon wrestling.
Cottings started wrestling in the sixth grade. She speculated that her steep learning curve was a factor in the two scholarships.
“I barely won anything my first year in high school…maybe five matches. I was bad. I didn’t start turning the corner until my junior and senior year,” she said.
Outside of the mat room, Cottings started lifting weights every morning and attending club wrestling practice during the offseason.
Martin wasn’t surprised by Cottings’ awards.
“She’s a super passionate wrestler,” he said “When I presented this opportunity to her, she was very excited. I knew she was going to represent herself well, along with McNary and Keizer.”
Applicants answered questions about community service, future objectives, and financial need.
“She was the absolute strongest applicant in the pool,” said Kim Conolly, McNary’s college and career counselor.
Martin said Cottings’ leadership on the team, performance on the mat, and involvement in the community are notable. But her confidence in her own characteristics speaks loudly, Martin said.
At Linfield, Cottings wants to push herself on the mats, and maybe win a first-place national wrestling trophy.
Martin is excited to see how she grows in the sport.
“You want to be an all-American and you want to be a national champion, and I think she’s fully capable of those things,” he said. “But I really hope she comes out of this an even stronger leader and someone who will contribute to our society on a high level.”
News tip? Contact reporter Riley Ellis: r[email protected].
