By Chris Parker
Diamond wrestling has 15 boys and five girls out for the team this winter.
Head coach Bill Gray expects the boys side to be strong in duals.
“I believe we will be a good dual team once everything shakes out,” Gray said. “We have a good mixture of experience and youth that will give us a strong unit. Between camp this summer and the preseason they have developed a strong work ethic and it is translating in skill development in the room.”
State placer Breydon Pelt and state qualifier Brayden Clement return for Diamond. Pelt finished sixth at 106 pounds last year posting a 33-13 record.
“He (Pelt) is quick, and his mat awareness make him something to be reckon with,” Gray said.
Pelt will again wrestle at 106.
Clement qualified for state at 152 pounds posting a 22-26 record. He will wrestle in the 165-190 range.
Nathan Gray (senior, 157-175), Brandon Calentine (senior, 144-150), Kendal King (junior, 165-175), Connor Pelt (junior, 113), Cody Neal (junior, 132-138), Alex Stevens (junior, 126) and James LaFever (freshman, 138-144) also will be some of the top wrestlers in the program.
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Sophomore Marco Benavides will see time at 285 pounds.
“We are working on developing a toughness that our program is known for and maintain the momentum the program currently has having state placers for the last four years after a three-year absence,” Gray said. “We are looking to set a school record for state qualifiers (currently 6) on the guys side and once they get there we want to place.”
Haley Crisp (senior, 135-140) and Allison Calentine (senior, 145) will be the top wrestlers on the girls’ side.
“(Crisp) is an aggressive wrestler that imposes her will on a match,” Gray said. “(Calentine) will fight the entire match, giving herself a chance to win.”
Kaylee Brown (sophomore, 190), Mekia Gainuss (freshman, 125) and Callie Montgomery (freshman, 135) will also compete for Diamond.
“Our seniors need to lead the way,” Gray said. “I believe with two classes of girls wrestling it will give us a chance for both of our seniors to qualify and hopefully do some damage once they get there.”
Diamond girls wrestling opens with the Versailles tournament on Nov. 22. Diamond boys wrestling opens with a quad at Sherwood on Nov. 29.
