MINNEAPOLIS — The journey to this podium has been anything but easy for Minneapolis North senior Lamarcus Osborne.
"He's kind of like a big Grizzly bear. Very calm, cool, collected at all times until he steps on the mat," said Minneapolis North head wrestling coach Andrew Capirchio.
It's a journey that started last season when he tried wrestling for the first time in his life.
"Practice was fun because I didn't know what I was doing. I was out there trying new things. I just ended up falling in love with it," said Osborne.
Thanks in large part to Polar head coach Andrew Capirchio.
"Coach Andrew means a lot to me. He's more than a coach to me, honestly, more like a father figure for real," said Osborne.
Father figure quite literally. Lamarcus' dad passed away at a young age, and then just last month, Lamarcus' mom, Tiffany, passed away as well.
"My mom, she was a single parent. Hardworking woman. She was loved by many. Made me into the person I am today in many ways," said Osborne.
One of those ways was on full display last week at state, where Tiffany's strength and perseverance shined through her son.
"Couldn't be more proud, right? We knew as a coaching staff, dealing with that loss, there was going to be essentially two responses to it, and Lamarcus had the Championship response," said Capirchio.
Lamarcus became the first North wrestler to place at state since 1998.
"One in a lifetime experience. Never truly felt nothing like that before. There was like so many people rooting for me," said Osborne.
With Tiffany watching every step of the way.
"Everybody just on my side, I didn't feel alone at all. Wherever I'm at, she will always be on my heart," said Osborne.
Lamarcus finished his career 77-17 record in two seasons of wrestling at Minneapolis North. He is examining different scholarship offers to play football in college next year.
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