Whether he’s running for touchdowns or posting a pin, Malachi Rider’s biggest fan is his father, Trevor.
“My Dad is happy during football season, but it's different for wrestling," Malachi said. “During wrestling season, he's insanely happy. He's obsessed with wrestling.”
Little wonder given the Rider's extraordinary winning ways on the mat.
It’s already been well documented following Malachi’s transfer to Nixa for his senior year that he was a Kentucky state champion for Paducah Tilghman as a sophomore and junior. But wait, there's more:
— Trevor captured a state championship himself during his glory days as a prep in Colorado.
— Malachi’s oldest brother, Isaac, was a state champ his senior year for Grand Junction, Colorado.
— Finally, Malachi’s other brother, Josiah, was a three-time state champion for Grand Junction and a two-time NCAA D-II national champion for Adams State (Colorado).
“We're an eating and breathing wrestling family,” Malachi said.
Rider enjoyed more success Saturday, charging to a COC Tournament title at 157 pounds. He upped his record to 21-2 on the season by beating Ozark’s Dayton Moison 8-0 in their title tilt.
Per usual, Rider received feedback from his father.
“After a match, we talk about what he liked that I did and what I can do to get better,” Malachi said. “He always supports me.”
Rider doesn’t underestimate the importance of his father’s input over the years.
“Without him, I definitely wouldn't be the wrestler I am,” Rider said. “He's coached me my whole life. He wants me to study the game. He'll send me wrestling videos and is constantly putting wrestling thoughts in my head. He's giving me tips, wanting me to try new things. He wants to put me at the next level of wrestling and life.”
Where Rider will wrestle at the next level isn’t set, yet. But he’s leaning heavily toward joining his brother at Adams State, where Josiah is now a graduate assistant coach.
“I'm still not exactly sure where I'm going to college, but it will probably be Adams State,” Malachi said. “To have my brother as my coach and to train with him, that will be insane.”
Rider will carry an 18-match winning streak into this weekend's Rose Hill Invite in Kansas. He hasn’t lost to a Missouri foe, with both of his losses coming at the Walsh Ironman in Ohio against opponents from Illinois and Indiana.
Rider was happy how he remained in attack mode while shutting out Moison.
“I've gotten better on top. When I ride people, it gets in their head,” Rider said. “I feel like I got in his head. He gives me a hard time, but it isn't going to stop me from beating him.”
During Rider’s 18 straight wins, he’s gone the distance seven times, including twice against Moison. He’s valued the mat time.
“If we need the pin, I'll try to find a way to get it. I'm always looking for a pin,” Rider said. “But if I don't get it, I'm not too worried, just as long as I'm scoring points and getting better.”
