EPHRATA — Nine times this season Mac Laird has come out onto the mat to wrestle for the Ephrata Tigers. Nine times, Laird has walked away victorious after a pin.

In his senior season for the Tigers, Laird looks at one last chance for the State title after coming up just shy last year. Off to a perfect start this year, Laird said while the team has struggled out of the gate, he feels he’s been wrestling well so far.

Ephrata begins a new regime this season as Patrick Mitchell makes the jump from assistant to head coach. Laird said the change hasn’t been significant, with Mitchell working as an assistant in the past.

“He was my practice partner all (last) year so it’s pretty much the same thing for me at least,” Laird said.

The Ephrata senior said he began wrestling when he was around 5 or 6, with his dad working as a coach. Laird said his father has made a large impact on his growth as a wrestler, pushing him to accomplish his best and work hard.

It was around the age of 12 or 13 that the Ephrata wrestler began to realize the potential he had on the mat, citing a specific match that flipped the switch for him.

“I beat a kid that had beat me all year, and when I finally beat him, it was easy,” Laird said.

Laird grabbed sixth at the Mat Classic in 2018 in the 195 weight class, before coming up just short with a second-place finish as a junior. This year, Laird said his goal is simple, make it back and finish the job.

“It was a really bad feeling, just knowing how hard I’d worked to get there, just to fall short,” Laird said. “After a while, it went away. And I just wanted this season to come so I’d have another shot at it.”

Roughly a month into the season, Laird couldn’t ask for a much better start, remaining unbeaten on the mat, pinning all nine of his opponents. Laird said, right now, he likes his chances.

“I’ve been wrestling well this season, and I just feel like I’m prepared,” Laird said.

The Ephrata senior said it has meant a lot to him to be a part of the Ephrata Tigers.

“We haven’t had many great seasons, but it’s always fun,” Laird said. “The players are always great, and it’s like you’re having a second family.”

As he moves into the future, Laird said his plans at the moment are to play college football somewhere, pursuing a degree in agricultural sciences. For now, Laird will continue to chase his goals on the mat in his final season with the Tigers.