The 2015-16 wrestling team anticipates the start of their season. Head coach Tim Stoudenmire feels the team this year is stronger than it has been for 11 years. “I think that our program has a chance to be the most successful program in the school this year,” Stoudenmire said.
By JOHANNA HALL – Print Sports Editor
The 2015-16 varsity wrestling team consists of many young players, but through their experience in the junior varsity program, they have the experience to make for a successful season.
The 2015-16 wrestling season will commence with the Dennis Marlow Invitational Tournament at Banks County on Nov. 14, with a number of fresh faces on the varsity team anxious to perform.
Head wrestling coach Tim Stoudenmire has high hopes for the success of the wrestling team this year, and believes the current team is stronger than it has been for years in the past.
“I think that our program has a chance to be the most successful program in the school this year,” Stoudenmire said. “Our returning class for this year is the strongest it’s been in 11 years.”
According to Stoudenmire, the current skill of the players came from playing on the junior varsity team in previous seasons. Stoudenmire feels that participating on the JV team prepares wrestlers for varsity play.
“(The players) need to practice, they need to compete and they need to compete at a high level, but understanding that it’s junior varsity,” Stoudenmire said.
According to Stoudenmire, younger players on the JV team gain experience through their participation in competitions, which trains them for a future spot on varsity.
“Another way we continue to promote the level of success we have right now is we get our younger guys to competitions regularly,” Stoudenmire said.
Junior and varsity wrestler Zach Chastain knows what it takes to be successful on the team.
“Wrestling is a very unique sport. You have to know what you’re doing,” Chastain said.
Though the team lost three key seniors last year, Stoudenmire feels that the experience the younger players got on the JV team will help them fill these holes.
“When (the wrestlers) get to the varsity, everything they’ve learned and gone through up to that point should help to pay off,” Stoudenmire said.
