Sophomores step up

Occasionally a situation in high school sports arises that calls participants to a higher performance standard than usually is the case. Sophomore Bobcats competing in wrestling are in that situation this year. There are no juniors out for the sport, and there are only two seniors.

Assuming that mid-school wrestlers will continue in the sport at the high school level, there will be between 15 and 20 freshmen/sophomore wrestlers in the room at the start of the 2016-17 season.

Leadership will be vested in the returning juniors: Cullen Becher, Milton Peden, Thomas Severan, Tanner Boss, and Koy Myers. It is true that many of the present freshmen who’ll be returning next year as sophomores will be more experienced than usual because they wrestle more than usual, and they will help fill the gaps in leadership and as mentors for those entering the program.

Milton Peden has used above average strength in earning an 8-7 varsity record. He has been in the sport for five years beginning in the sixth grade. Milton says he wrestles for his family.

Tanner Boss started wrestling in the seventh grade, so his experience is limited compared to many wrestlers his age. He wrestles primarily because his friends wrestle, but also because it helps him to develop physically.

Cullen Becher is really a life long competitor in the sport. “ I just really like to wrestle. I’ve been doing it since I started school.” His 17-6 record attests not only to his skill, but also to his love of the sport.

Tom Severns is the athlete that yearns to compete with those of his size (under 108 pounds) and stature (shorter than tall). He’s a relative newcomer to the sport. His enthusiasm and hustle and an increasing skill level show promise for his future in the sport. He wrestles because “it’s fun!”

Koy Myers’ toughness is coupled with his experience brought with him from Buffalo. Challenges call forth his intrest and desire to compete. A third at a recent tourney signals future success as a Bobcat wrestler.

These are the Bobcat wrestlers competing for the balance of this year, and in the future for the HSCHS wrestling program. Head Coach C.J. Scholl believes the program is heading in the right direction. So do his sophomores.