Warden Middle School 1976-1980 Warden High School 1980-2013 Rick Bowers grew up in Bellingham and wrestled at Bellingham High School for Hall of Fame coach George Yonlick. After graduating from Western Washington University, Bowers moved to Warden in 1976 and coached at the middle school for three years. In 1980 Rick became the head coach at Warden High School for the next 33 years, before retiring in 2013. Under Coach Bowers, Warden High School became the most successful wrestling team in the state at the "A" and "B" classifications. Coach Bowers coaching philosophy stresses that every wrestler who completes their high school career is a success, regardless of state placings, and emphasizes that they take the values taught in the Warden wrestling program with them for the rest of their life. The Warden Wrestling Program under Bowers leadership won 32 undefeated League Championships, 21 District Championships, 10 Dream Dual Championships and 9 State titles, 4 second place, 1 third and 2 fourth place State finishes. Warden set and holds the most points scored in the 8 and 16 man brackets in the State Tournament and is tied for the most consecutive state titles in the "A" classifications. Coach Bower's career coaching record is 600 plus wins with only 35 losses. Coach Bowers has been honored numerous times for his contributions to wrestling in the State of Washington. He has been awarded the Warden School District Teacher of the Year recognition twice and has received the State Wrestling Coach of the Year award 8 times in his respective classification. In 2006 he received the NFHS Sectional Wrestling Coach of the Year award and in 2009 was inducted into the Washington State Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame. Bowers had made wrestling more than a sport in Warden, it is an extended family throughout the community. Rick still assists as the handyman for the Warden community center and serves as the tournament director for all Warden wrestling tournaments. Anne, his wife of 46 years, served as the wrestling cheer coach. Their two sons, Dylan and Kevin wrestled and their two daughters, Sara and Jessica, cheered for the Cougars. Rick and Annie have four grandchildren.