By Matt Mauney | Associate Editor
The high school wrestling season is right around the corner, and area wrestlers are making their final weight adjustments and prepare for the season that lies ahead.
Two area teams will have new head coaches this season, with Durant welcoming back Drake Millard to the varsity coaching spot.
Strawberry Crest will look to build a young program that saw success last season, while Plant City will look to get some valuable experience to a young group. Durant will return a solid group and features a schedule that will have the Cougars competing against some of the best teams in the state and the nation, including the 17th annual Cougar Invitational Nov. 30 to Dec. 1.
The tournament will feature 32 of the top teams from around Florida and Georgia in what has grown to be one of the most prestigious tournaments in the state. Here is a breakdown of area teams.
DURANT
Coach: Drake Millard
Years at school: Returns as Durant’s head coach after 13 years
Match record last year: N/A
Postseason finish: N/A
Key wrestlers returning (weight class, class): Reagan Haley (120, junior), Austin Haley (126, junior), Jordan Evers (138, junior), Kip Wynn (160-170, junior), Darrien Kelly (132, senior), Evan Booher (152, junior), Matthew Millard (160, senior), Levi Williams (160, sophomore), Keith Watford (170, senior)
Team strengths: The Cougars enter the season with a talented and seasoned group of wrestlers.
Needs for improvement: Durant will have a tough schedule ahead of it, including the Buzz Hill Invitational and the annual Tiger Invitational.
Outlook and goals for season: Millard was the first head wrestling coach at Durant when the school opened in 1995. He served as head coach for four years and most recently led the USA Wrestling program at the school. Millard said he is excited about the upcoming season, saying his team is a highly skilled, experienced group. Haley placed first at the Super 32 qualifier last season, while Kelly, a team co-captain, finished fourth at FHSAA state meet last year.
From the coach: “We’ve been working hard and should be solid from 120 to 185 with skilled veterans.”
PLANT CITY
Coach: Nick Ferrario
Years at school: Entering seventh year
Match record last year: N/A
Postseason finish: Did not send any to postseason tournaments
Key wrestlers returning (weight class, class): Craig Knight (160-170, senior), Lane Benton (120 junior), Jordan Evers (138, junior), Kip Wynn (160-170, junior)
Team strengths: Ferrario said there are plenty of young wrestlers he will be looking to step up this season.
Needs for improvement: The Raiders are fairly young this season, according to Ferrario, so learning some things as the season progresses will be key to improvement and growth as a team.
Outlook and goals for season: According to Ferrario, the Raiders hope to build on last season and hopefully give some quality experience to some of the younger wrestlers. Knight will enter his senior season and likely will be a key in leadership. Plant City also will rely on Benton, Evers and Wynn, who return with varsity experience.
From the coach: “This is going to be a building year getting young guys experience and mat time.”
STRAWBERRY CREST
Coach: Ryan Joyce
Years at school: First
Match record last year: 17-2
Postseason finish: Third in districts; two wrestlers made state
Key wrestlers returning (weight class, class, record last season): Steve Colman (120, sophomore, 22-15), Cam Patisaul (126, junior, 16-15), TJ McNamee (138, junior, 25-12)
Team strengths: According to Joyce, the Chargers are extremely strong from 120 to 160, with experienced wrestlers at each weight.
Needs for improvement: Joyce said the light-weights will be young in a tough district. The Chargers also lost some senior leadership. This year’s seniors have high expectations and must begin to step up.
Outlook and goals for season: Joyce enters his first season as the head coach of Strawberry Crest after replacing Anthony Peace. Joyce takes over a fairly young team and said this year’s group of seniors will have high expectations on them and will have to begin to step up. McNamee enters his junior season after posting a 25-12 record as a sophomore, while Colman posted a 22-15 record last season.
From the coach: “We expect to be district runners up and send two kids to state.”