Magnolia Wrestling Opens Season Tonight At Home
Wrestling is one of the most physically-demanding sports for kids in high school. They have to have the aerobic conditioning of a cross-country runner, the strength of a gymnast and the power of a football player.
This year MHS Head Coach Vince Monseau has more than 30 experienced kids out, including 10-returning letter-winners and four state qualifiers that includes fourth-place finisher Caleb Nice (182 lbs.).
In addition to Nice, last year’s state qualifiers Clay Adams (132-138 lbs.), Paden McConaughey (170 lbs.) and Riley Nice (120 lbs.) combined to win 116 matches during the regular season against only 19 losses. Each has returned to the lineup this year, along with regional qualifiers Joel Hatfield, (195 lbs.), Brian Wilson (220 lbs.) and Chase Streets (152-160 lbs.).
Also returning this year are other letter-winners who helped MHS claim runnerup status in OVAC Class-AAA, Brandon Doty (132 lbs.), Skylar Yoho (145 lbs.), Joesph Layman (160 lbs.), Harley Rice (152-160 lbs.), Robert Campbell (145 lbs.), Doug Riter (120 lbs.) and Archie Petin 152 lbs.).
Also competing this season will be first year wrestler Josh Moore, a senior, (126 lbs.); juniors Sidney Burdine (285 lbs.) and Triston Thomas (132 lbs,); sophomores Cameron Ramsay (132-138 lbs.); Donovan Sawyers (285 lbs.); and Chase Delvecchio (160 lbs.); freshmen Jack Booth 120 lbs.); Martin Baker (113 lbs.); Daniel Goddard (126-132 lbs.); Devin Hawkins (126-132 lbs.); Scott McNeil (136 lbs.); James Moore (126 lbs.); Hunter Partridge (160 lbs.); Dalton Prichard (160 lbs.); Kaleb Simpkins (152-160 lbs.); Kylar Cecil (106); and Logan Highley (138-145 lbs.).
Most of the boys have wrestled in middle school before moving up to high school, so we have lots of experience to work with,” stated Monseau. He and Assistant Coach Eric McKeever hope to have another winning season in 2014-15. They also expect to see their Blue Eagle grapplers compete better in the OVAC Tournament and to qualify more for state in the near future, if not this season.
If there is a weakness in this year’s team, it looks to be in the heavier weight classes, where the team doesn’t have but one wrestler to compete. Also, with the numbers out, there will be a good many unable to get mat time.
“Its not a bad headache to have knowing you can fill all your weight classes, but it isn’t fun to have guys just sit and wait until the next match, said Monseau.
Those who have helped bring wrestling to higher heights were Joey Kelly, Jacob Rabel and Phillip Harlan, who all graduated, and Trinton Jett, who moved away. All will be missed.
Magnolia will have a lot more dual matches this season, adding one each with Weir, Williamstown and John Marshall. Plus the team has added a quad match at North Marion with Oak Glen and Cameron and a tri match at Linsly with Steubenville Catholic. Also scheduled are tournaments at Tyler Consolidated, River, Cameron and inside the Blue Eagle HammerDome.
The Eagles open their season with a dual match at home against Tyler Consolidated tonight at 6 p.m.