14 to wrestle for Silver Knights
Coach Chad Snider begins his second year as head wrestling coach at Tyler Consolidated High School with hopes of surpassing the success he and his team saw last year.
“All in all we had a good season last year,” Snider said.
“We were sort of rebuilding, but had some good talent back, and wound up sending one to state. This year, it looks as if we’re going to have our work cut out for us, but we have several back with experience and that’s a plus.”
Lost to graduation from the team were some very talented wrestlers who filled important weight classes for the Knights including: 2009 state runner up, Nate Taylor; 2010 state placer, Brandon Grimes; Brody Northcraft, Andrew VanCamp and James Wagner.
This year the team returns eight with varsity experience, but lacks numbers, especially in the lower weight classes.
Seniors returning to the mat for the Knights include Nate Bolin (140), Levi Kissner (189); Adam Cross (215); and Calvin McCune (152). Exchange students Einar Mellem joins the team for the season in the 145 weight class along with Fredrick Krause at 171.
“Our seniors are solid wrestlers,” Snider said.
“They return with
some good mat experience and are working hard to prepare for the season.”
“We’re expecting some good things from them. They’ll see success if they’re willing to work for it.”
Juniors on the team will include Braxtin Brown (215); Cody Turner (103); John Brosky (119); and Gary McDougle (189); sophomores – Joseph Henthorn (125); Dustin Tawney (171); and Levi Henderson (171).
The lone freshman on the team this season is heavyweight Cecil Spencer.
Snider says the numbers out for the team is about right, but too many of the wrestlers are competing against each other for the top spot in the same weight class.
“That’s the way it always seems to be in wrestling,” he said. “You don’t just have one good 189 pounder, you
have three or four, and that hurts when you are forfeiting matches at the lower weight classes.”
A good size middle school program this year
will hopefully feed into the high school program for the next few seasons. Coached by Eric McKeever, the TCMS wrestlers look to begin their regular season in January.
As for predictions, Snider says he is no soothsayer, but he and assistant coach Steve Blake are looking for their team to be competitive, and as with every coach, hope to sit at the mat in Huntington in February.
The competition will begin for the Silver Knight wrestlers on Dec. 10 and 11 when they travel to participate in the Ritchie County tournament.
On Dec. 15 the Silver Knights will head to River for a tri-match with the Pilots and Magnolia Blue Eagles, and on Dec. 18 the Knights will host their own “Wrestle A-bout” tournament.