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| Wrestler led by example |
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| News - Miami County News | |||
| Written by Brian McCauley | |||
| Wednesday, 28 January 2009 09:00 | |||
 Joe Cullor was hesitant when he first heard Matthew Noblet was interested in working for his Paola moving company. Noblet’s 135-pound frame didn’t blow him away — but his strength soon did.“He would lift a piano like it was nothing,” Cullor said. “His body strength was amazing.” Noblet’s physical strength, knowledge of fundamentals and tireless work ethic helped him rise to the ranks of one of Paola High School’s best wrestlers last year, but it’s Noblet’s friends and family who now have to be strong after learning that the 19-year-old died Saturday in a one-vehicle accident south of Paola. Noblet, who lived in Osawatomie and graduated from Paola High School in 2008, was driving a 2008 Toyota Scion east on 327th Street west of Hospital Drive at 4:55 a.m. Saturday when he lost control of the vehicle, which swerved off the right side of the road into a field and overturned several times, according to a Miami County Sheriff’s Office news release. Noblet was thrown from the vehicle and killed. News of the incident spread quickly, and Paola High School wrestling coach Russ Hermreck said he found out at the beginning of the Paola Invitational wrestling meet Saturday at the high school. Hermreck worked with Noblet since he was about 11 years old, and he described him as one of the hardest working and most talented wrestlers he had ever coached. Despite Noblet’s talents, Hermreck said he also was a quiet person.  “He was very humble, but his actions spoke louder than anything,” Hermreck said. “He would blind you with his abilities.”As the news spread Saturday, Hermreck decided to gather his wrestlers together in the locker room and tell them of the accident. “That was the hardest part,” senior Seth Heliker said. “We had heard the rumors, but when coach told us, we knew it was true.” PHS junior Tanner Rankin said he knew Noblet well, and they used to hang out after wrestling meets. “He always put everybody before himself,” Rankin said. “If he was an animal, he’d be a pit bull, because he was nice at times, but he was fierce on the mat.” That fierceness helped Noblet earn Regional Wrestler of the Year honors last year, and Hermreck hopes Noblet’s intensity and dedication will live on in all of his wrestlers. “He left a legacy,” Hermreck said. “He set the bar high, and he’ll be remembered for a lot of positive things.” PHS Principal Jerry Henn said Monday counselors are on hand to talk with students who are struggling with Noblet’s passing. “As with any death that affects our school, we have our counselors ready for anything that might happen. We have not called in outside help at this time, but they are ready if needed,” Henn said. — Staff writer Kevin Gray contributed to this article.
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