2012 High School Wrestling Preview: Tigers prepare to gain more this season
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
For what is three years now, the McClain wrestling program has been rebuilt basically from the ground up under head coach Shane Paul.
Coming off their most successful season yet, the Tigers want to not only continue to move up the ladder in the South Central Ohio League but keep improving at all levels of their program so they can continue to gain success each year.
Returning for MHS is senior Brandon Davis, who in the 220-pound weight class reached the district tournament last season and was fourth in the sectionals with a 34-14 mark one season ago.
Also returning is senior Roscoe East, who was a district alternate his junior year at the 170-pound class with a fifth-place finish at sectionals and an overall record of 25-9.[[In-content Ad]]"We have a total of 23 wrestlers at the high school level with 12 freshmen, so we do have experience, but we have a lot of inexperience and youth, too," Paul said. "Our schedule is very tough this year, but we want it that way. We've scheduled schools that have really good competition at the 220-pound class.
"We have on the schedule champions from Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky."
As for Davis, he returns as one of the wrestlers for MHS who won at least 20 matches last season, including one win at the district tournament.
The third wrestler returning with 20 wins under his belt from last year is senior Isaac Savage. Fifteen-match winner Brendon Goble (15-10) is also back for his sophomore year at 195 pounds.
MHS also has two junior high state qualifiers on their team this year in freshmen Jake Badgley (145 pounds) and Gable Smith at 182 pounds.
"When we took over, we started the youth program here, and over time, it will pay off for us," Paul said. "We have to have a good youth program so one day it will equal good things for the junior high and high school programs.
"With the younger levels going on when they get to high school, they won't be coming here without any experience."
Last year was the team's first winning season at 15-13.
"It has been great to see the progression on the wrestlers and the program," Paul said. "It has happened faster than I thought it would.
"The school is believing in us, as they and the athletic boosters bought us a new mat, and we're looking forward to using it for the first time. We hope with home meets this year, the community will come and show their support."
MHS will have their first home match on Dec. 6 and will have three total home matches, including a Jan. 10 tri-match against Washington and London, and on Jan. 17, the Tigers will host Hillsboro and Paint Valley.
"We are going to win and do well," Paul said. "I feel we'll win some matches, but over half the team is freshmen, so we'll take some lumps, too. Even though we'll take those lumps, eventually it will all pay off for the program."
Assistant coaches for MHS this season will include: Mason Hunick, Scott Schumaker and Matt Unger.
The 23 wrestlers for the MHS Tigers include: Kylee Stroud, JJ Barnhart, Shawn Fisher, Sid Wardlow, Coty Barnhart, Kaleb Smith, Cody Black, Jake Badgley, Dillon Scott, Christian Stults, Isaac Savage, Ethan Paul, Roscoe East, Brandon Nebbergall, Gable Smith, Brendon Goble, Lucas Unger, Jimmy Unger, Jarrett Milnes, Brandon Davis, Dylan Trefz, Damon Buckmaster and Baxter Wagner.
Coming off their most successful season yet, the Tigers want to not only continue to move up the ladder in the South Central Ohio League but keep improving at all levels of their program so they can continue to gain success each year.
Returning for MHS is senior Brandon Davis, who in the 220-pound weight class reached the district tournament last season and was fourth in the sectionals with a 34-14 mark one season ago.
Also returning is senior Roscoe East, who was a district alternate his junior year at the 170-pound class with a fifth-place finish at sectionals and an overall record of 25-9.[[In-content Ad]]"We have a total of 23 wrestlers at the high school level with 12 freshmen, so we do have experience, but we have a lot of inexperience and youth, too," Paul said. "Our schedule is very tough this year, but we want it that way. We've scheduled schools that have really good competition at the 220-pound class.
"We have on the schedule champions from Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky."
As for Davis, he returns as one of the wrestlers for MHS who won at least 20 matches last season, including one win at the district tournament.
The third wrestler returning with 20 wins under his belt from last year is senior Isaac Savage. Fifteen-match winner Brendon Goble (15-10) is also back for his sophomore year at 195 pounds.
MHS also has two junior high state qualifiers on their team this year in freshmen Jake Badgley (145 pounds) and Gable Smith at 182 pounds.
"When we took over, we started the youth program here, and over time, it will pay off for us," Paul said. "We have to have a good youth program so one day it will equal good things for the junior high and high school programs.
"With the younger levels going on when they get to high school, they won't be coming here without any experience."
Last year was the team's first winning season at 15-13.
"It has been great to see the progression on the wrestlers and the program," Paul said. "It has happened faster than I thought it would.
"The school is believing in us, as they and the athletic boosters bought us a new mat, and we're looking forward to using it for the first time. We hope with home meets this year, the community will come and show their support."
MHS will have their first home match on Dec. 6 and will have three total home matches, including a Jan. 10 tri-match against Washington and London, and on Jan. 17, the Tigers will host Hillsboro and Paint Valley.
"We are going to win and do well," Paul said. "I feel we'll win some matches, but over half the team is freshmen, so we'll take some lumps, too. Even though we'll take those lumps, eventually it will all pay off for the program."
Assistant coaches for MHS this season will include: Mason Hunick, Scott Schumaker and Matt Unger.
The 23 wrestlers for the MHS Tigers include: Kylee Stroud, JJ Barnhart, Shawn Fisher, Sid Wardlow, Coty Barnhart, Kaleb Smith, Cody Black, Jake Badgley, Dillon Scott, Christian Stults, Isaac Savage, Ethan Paul, Roscoe East, Brandon Nebbergall, Gable Smith, Brendon Goble, Lucas Unger, Jimmy Unger, Jarrett Milnes, Brandon Davis, Dylan Trefz, Damon Buckmaster and Baxter Wagner.