Local High School Wrestlers Take to the Mat This Week With New Rule Changes

The biggest change for Century, Liberty and South Carroll on the mat this year is the weight classes.

During the off season the National Federation of State High School Association made new weight classes for the 2011-12 season.

The new classes are 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 170, 182, 195, 220 and heavyweight.

Another change this year is the line for the circle on the mat is considered in bounds.

Coach Dennis Frazier and the Knights open their season Tuesday against Urbana. Frazier is starting his fourth year as coach and last year led Century to a 23-7 record overall and 5-2 in the county.

The Knights were second in the county tournament and third during the season.

Returning for the Knights are seniors Brandon Antrobus and Kyle Tye and junior Ryder Cavey. Antrobus and Tye are defending county champions.

Lion coach Mike Flemming welcomed 38 athletes for the wrestling squad in his 15th year as coach. The Lions were 15-5 overall and 3-4 in the county last year.

Returning starters for Liberty is Ryan Craig, Joe Kuegler, Casey Shea, Frank Coughlin, Luke Yox, Max Wittle, Tony Craig, Garrett Lewis, and Tony Bassani.

"I am pleased with all of the guys we have on the roster and the effort we see out of the whole team on a daily basis. We have a lot of talent and competition in the room. Zack Sinor comes to us from the Warriors and has a lot of potential and the rest of our freshmen and sophomores are athletic and eager to improve," Flemming answered in an e-mail.

Asked about starters for this year, Flemming said, "We are still in the process of working that out due to weight certification and we haven't had wrestle-offs yet."

When asked who was the team to beat in the county, Flemming said, "Carroll County is so strong. Winters Mill is the defending Regional and State Champions. South Carroll is the defending County Champion and Century returns a veteran line-up. However, you can not look past any county competition."

Goals for the Lions this year are to compete for county, regional, and state titles as a team and as individuals.

Liberty opens the season Friday at the North County tournament.

Cavalier coach Bryan Hamper had two dozen wrestlers come out for the squad and they have lost a few.

"This year we had 24 wrestlers start the season, unfortunately we are down to 19 already. I think we have the right 19 though, these guys are training hard and getting better everyday," said Hamper.

South Carroll is starting their fourth season under Hamper. Last year they were 19-3 overall and 7-0 in the county. The Cavaliers are the defending county champions.

Returning for the Cavaliers this season are seniors Willie Reiter, Alec Stavish and Collin Plumley; junior Steven Schmitz and sophomores KC Stipcak, Michael Mullen and Jake Pooton.

Reiter has placed twice in the state meet and Stavish was sixth in the state last season. Reiter is a defending county champion.

When sked if there are any wrestlers that may impact the Cavaliers, Hamper said, "Look out for first year starters Wade Slatniske (freshman), JC Myers (sophomore) and Sean Connely (senior). All three should make an immediate impact."

The goals this year according to Hamper is to build on last year. "Our goal every year is to win a state championship. We finished fifth at last years state tournament, so we are looking to build on that and challenge for a title this season."

Asked who the team to beat in the county this year, Hamper said, "South Carroll is the returning dual meet county champions, but Winters Mill is the returning county and state tournament champions. Century, Liberty and North Carroll all have great teams returning so it should be an exciting year for Carroll County wrestling."

The South Carroll match against Middletown on Tuesday was postponed. The match will instead be held on Dec. 21.