Drake makes history with 400th career win

Already the winningest wrestling coach in Missouri high school history, Maryville's Joe Drake added another history-making milestone to his collection Thursday night.

With Maryville's 2-1 showing at the Mt. Ayr Quad, Drake became the first coach in state history to reach 400 wins for his career.

Drake's 400th win came in the opening dual of the night against Mt. Ayr and No. 401 followed against Pleasantville. At Saturday's Quad State Tournament, a sign hung above one side of the bleachers congratulating Drake on his historic achievement.

"It was kind of a load off," said Drake. "After last season, we thought we'd have a little bit different type of team this year, and I just didn't think it was going to be a big deal. All of the sudden, we can't win because we didn't have the numbers and injuries got to plaguing us. I just didn't think it was going to happen. Then we go to Mt. Ayr and have a great night up there. It was a great feeling."

Drake would've had a chance to get to 400 in his home gym the week before, but Maryville's two duals with Maysville and West Platte were cancelled.

He picked up win No. 399 at Benton Jan. 22, leaving him one short of 400 with just those last three duals remaining in Iowa.

With the pressure turned up, the Hounds delivered for their veteran head coach.

"It was kind of something they wanted to accomplish and get done this year," said Drake. "They were pretty disappointed when we didn't have the last home duals and get a chance to do it there. The other night was the last chance and they took care of business. They did a good job of it."

All 401 of Drake's dual wins have been accumulated at Maryville High School where he's been the head wrestling coach and a teacher since 1974-75.

This out-dates every current coach at Maryville High, including hall of fame boys basketball coach Mike Kuwitzky.

"One of the nicest things I think about doing all of this is I've done everything here," said Drake. "We haven't chased around and moved every time we thought we weren't going to do well here and go some place. We did it here so everything has been whatever we could get done here. I'm pretty proud of that fact."

Drake says the last 100 wins have piled up quickest due to the increased amount of dual matches that are available to each school in the state.

When Drake first started out and even into the middle part of his career, the schedules weren't nearly as flexible.

"Until we went to this, the first 300 took forever because you could only get 9-10 wins a year, " said Drake. "Now with the rule change, you can get close to 25 wins a year. It makes a big difference. It's made it a lot easier to get the last 100. There will be coaches that will by far pass me, but it doesn't matter. I got there first."

Drake, who is just weeks away from completing his 39th season, plans on being back as Maryville's coach next year. He now needs 99 more wins to be the first to 500 in the state, but is very doubtful he'll stick around that long.

"I have no intention of coaching that much longer," said Drake. "That's not even a consideration."