Buncombe County Schools (BCS) employs thousands of extraordinary staff across the district. BCS takes pride in recruiting the best in order to inspire, educate, encourage, and elevate students on a daily basis. As a way to honor the hard work and dedication that staff pour into our school community, we are recognizing those who go above and beyond to make BCS the best. This BCS Staff Spotlight honors Enka High School’s (EHS) wrestling coach, Mark Harris.
Coach Harris stands as a paragon of excellence in the realm of high school wrestling, leading his team to consecutive victories with a blend of skill, strategy, and unyielding dedication. With an impressive array of coaching accolades adorning his illustrious career, including North Carolina Coach of the year AAA, NCHSAA Toby Webb Outstanding Coach Award, National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Enka High School Hall of Fame, and much more. This track record proves he is making a difference in more than one way.
Beyond the world of wrestling, Coach Harris serves as a mentor, guiding his students to success by instilling values of perseverance, discipline and teamwork that will serve them throughout life.
“Coach builds self discipline within all of us, not just in this sport but school as well,” said senior Bodhi. “He gets us ready not only for wrestling, but life as well. Coach Harris is someone I can count on when I need extra guidance. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today, or the person I am if it wasn’t for Coach Harris.”
When Coach Harris isn’t teaching or on the wrestling mat he serves in various organizations including; the Board of Directors for the National Wrestling Coaches Association, the NC Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, the NC Wrestling Coaches Association, and the Scholastic Chairman for the Southeast (section 3) for the National Wrestling Coaches Association. Coach Harris also runs the Hominy Valley Youth Wrestling Program, and coaches EHS boys and girls cross country.
In his 28 years of coaching, Mr. Harris says he has seen some changes for the betterment of the program.
“I have witnessed the growth of girls wrestling and the addition of a girls team at EHS,” he said. “This has been a positive change that’s brought more athletes, parents, energy and fans into the program. For the 23/24 school year we had 12 girls on the roster, and are working to grow the program more in the future.”
A female wrestler said that Coach Harris is unlike any other wrestling coach when it comes to females in the program.
“Coach Harris has supported the women in this sport since EHS had their first female on the team,” said senior Hodge. “During a match he is there in our corner, and makes sure we have what we need. Coach supports us as much if not more than the boys. Knowing that I have a coach like Mr. Harris has helped me a lot this year. I know I can go to him no matter what.”
Coach Harris is not only making strides in the athletics department. His involvement and dedication permeates Enka High School.
“Mr. Harris is an asset to our faculty and coaching staff because of his commitment to excellence in everything he does,” said Principal Jeffery Burleson. “Mr. Harris goes above and beyond the call of duty for anything he is involved in. Mark Harris is one of many reasons the faculty, students, alumni and community are so ‘Proud to be a JET!’”
