Michael Nadeau travels 60 miles a day to wrestle for Morse High School.
By Bob McPhee
Staff Writer

AUBURN – Michael Nadeau enjoys going the extra mile in his pursuit to participate in the world’s oldest sport – wrestling.

Nadeau is currently competing with the Morse High School wrestling team, but the situation is a bit more complex. That’s because Nadeau is enrolled at Edward Little, so his status is considered an independent wrestler. Every weekday, Nadeau travels down Route 196 to Bath to practice with the Shipbuilders.

“The round trip is about 60 miles,” Nadeau said. “Up until Dec. 18, I didn’t have my license and my grandfather drove me to practice every day. That was a lot to ask of him. Last year, I jumped into it. They didn’t have that many guys on the team and they welcomed me. Of course, having Shawn as the coach didn’t give them much of a choice.”

Nadeau was referring to his stepfather, Shawn Guest, who has coached Morse the past four seasons. Nadeau’s performances certainly proved that he did indeed belong, compiling a 16-13 record. The Red Eddie wrestler placed fourth in the regional (at 112-pounds) to qualify for the Class A state meet.

“Shawn and my Mom (Pam) really attracted me to it,” Nadeau said. “They said it would help build confidence and they really supported me in it. I enjoy the workouts and I am more disciplined. I enjoy pinning the most.”

“Michael has grown up a lot in the last year and a half,” Guest said. “He has developed a

sense of responsibility and self-discipline. In terms of motivation, there is not much that I have to use. He does not like to lose at all. Last year was his first year wrestling, and there were times that he really became upset after losing matches. Most kids get that part of losing over with in the Pine Tree Wrestling League. He did not have that chance.”

Nadeau admitted that the distance between the schools does have its shortcomings.

“It’s harder,” Nadeau said. “I guess things would be easier if I had the support at my school, but I get all the encouragement that I need from my mom. Shawn was the reason that I became involved in the sport. We used to swim in the backyard pool and I would basically attack him. He started talking to my mom about how strong I was for my size and how I might be good at wrestling.”

Nadeau hadn’t been involved in sports since Little League and wrestling really sounded interesting to him. But Nadeau had never seen a wrestling match before.

“I do not coach Michael any differently than my other kids at Morse,”Guest said, a Farmington native.”We have mats in the basement, but Michael has ever asked me to show him any thing at home. I will never pressure him to do so, but I will certainly help him should he ask. Home is our family time and the only real discussion is about what he eats. His mother and I are proud of what he has accomplished in a short time.”

Nadeau, a junior, is competing at 130 this year and the jump up three weight classes has required some adjustments. He has a .500 record and feels comfortable on the mat, but he also realizes that being new to the sport provides an opportunity to improve in all areas.

“There are nights driving home when I wonder what he is thinking,” Guest said. “Because the other kids get to go home (alone) after a bad practice, but he has to ride home with me. I know that I can be a little (temperamental) at times.”

Despite the extra time involved, Nadeau believes he made the right decision.

” I do not play any other sports” Nadeau said. “I’ve tried soccer and track, but,these don’t hold the interest that wrestling does. Last year, my grades were all right but not great, so I had to learn to manage my time and I seem to have found the way to do that. Coach has made sure that I understand that if the grades are not good, I will not be wrestling. He is very serious about the contract that we signed about grades, character, etc.”