WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News LeaderRutherford's Marcus Roberts- Scholar Athlete of the Week

Rutherford wrestler Marcus Robert's main goal this season was to place at the state wrestling finals this weekend in Lakeland. While he fell short, Marcus has left his mark on Ram wrestling, but entering Rutherford High School as a 9th grader, Marcus had never even hit the wrestling mats.

But fast-forward four years later, and he has a district title, a fourth place finish at Regionals, and an appearance at state under his belt.

"Marcus is that guy that's paid the dues, he's been in the wrestling program," says head coach Anthony Collier. "He's been a great role model for those kids, and to show the dedication and time, and has been a natural leader."

Marcus is a leader that's easy to look up too- boasting a 30 and 5 record as he headed into state this weekend, all while balancing wrestling practice with ROTC and a 3.4 GPA.

"I also have help from ROTC, because that's a discipline thing too and so is wrestling, so it all helps out with my grades," he says. "I just keep my grades up, because if I can't wrestle, I get in trouble."

"Anything I ask him to do, he's willing to do," says Coach Collier. "He's like a sponge, he wants to take everything he can take in."

Marcus's sponge-like way of taking in information has only benefited him- as he is now looking at wrestling in college.

"Lot of people just stop after high school," he says. "I just want to keep on going, the further I can get, the further it'll make me better."

"There's some merit to what I preach to them. Don't always think you have to be rewarded for hard work," says Coach Collier. "Trust me, as long as you're willing to work hard, you're going to benefit in the end."

With all the hard work Marcus put in high school, it looks like the rewards will only keep coming in the future. He said he's already talked to the coach at the Marion Military Institute, where he plans on wrestling at the next level.