By Chris Parker
The Willard boys wrestling program returns four state qualifiers while the girls return three.
BOYS TEAM
Two state runners-up return at 215 and 285 pounds in Porter Talbot and Brady Griffin.
Griffin is a is a three-time state placer entering his senior season.
“Brady is a very physically strong kid and loves to wrestle. He wants to go out on top with a title and I think that motivates him daily,” Willard head coach Jeff Davis said. “I think Brady just needs to stay patient and wrestle within his means to get the job done.”
Talbot earned his runner-up finish at 215 pounds as a sophomore.
“Porter is a very hardworking and intelligent wrestler; he follows game plans and is very patient. I thought 215 was wide open last year and it was. We were hoping for a state championship but unfortunately just fell a little short,” Davis said. “I would expect him to be competing for a state championship again this season. He has improved and loves to wrestle, that is always a really positive thing from a coach’s perspective.”
Noah Rogers lost by a point in the state semifinal round of the 150-pound weight class. He bounced back to place third.
“We talk a lot about if you can’t get what you want you need to get the next best thing and that is the kind of kid Noah is for sure. Noah is one of the most dedicated, hardest working young men that I have ever worked with,” Davis said. “Noah likes to brawl and put points on the board. He is very solid and traditional in the way he wrestles; his work ethic and toughness keep him in matches and he is very coachable which is nice.”
Rogers will be back at 150 pounds this season.
Caleb Caldwell missed a medal by one match losing in sudden victory at 144 pounds. He is healthy and aiming for a state title this season.
“Caleb has worked hard this off season and improved quite a bit. Last season, he was battling a high ankle sprain during the state series that hindered his progress greatly. I’m looking forward to seeing a healthy Caleb Caldwell compete,” Davis said. “I quite frankly expect him to be competing for a state championship this season. He is as talented as anyone in his weight class and when healthy he can beat anyone.”
Nick Lamontia (sophomore, 120-126), Landen Raab (junior, 132-138), Ethan Craft (sophomore, 126-132), Gunnar Puryear (sophomore, 157), Alex Nunez (senior, 190), Aiden Haines (senior, 175) and Cade Shurtz (sophomore, 144-150) all return.
Craft had a strong off-season. Nunez is a two-time state medalist who has moved down to 190 pounds.
Freshmen Wyatt Sweeten (106-113), Brett Holt (138), Mason Stidum (165-175), Liam Coan (120-126) and Jacob Welly (120-126) along with Dece Thomas (126-138) will be newcomers.
“We bring back a ton of experience and our younger group continues to develop and improve thanks to our youth club,” Davis said. “I think the goal is always the same to stay healthy and compete for a state trophy.”
GIRLS TEAM
Four qualifiers and two medalists returning.
Ellie Higginbotham placed fifth at 155 pounds as a freshman.
“Believe it or not Ellie didn’t wrestle her best at state, she made a couple of mental errors but has trained, grown and improved greatly,” Davis said. “I would be disappointed with anything less than a top three finish at state. Ellie has worked her tail off this off-season, and she wants to win at the highest level.”
She will remain at 155 pounds.
Emily Brixey was also fifth as a freshman. She earned her medal at 170 pounds.
“Emily was a two-time youth state champion and is also a very hard worker and she loves wrestling,” Davis said. “She has gotten even better on her feet and has developed some scrambling abilities too.”
She will be in the 170 or 190-pound weight class this season.
Harmony Moore is a two-time state qualifier entering her junior year.
“Harmony is a pretty quiet and low-key kid. She unfortunately just didn’t have a great state tournament last year. I could see her getting on the podium this year for sure,” Davis said. “I think she can get a top six finish at state this year.”
She will wrestle at either 190 or 235 pounds.
Abby Highfill (junior, 145), Adia Hull (sophomore, 130-140) and Ally Holmes (senior, 140) return.
“I think we will be loaded from about 135 and up with state tournament caliber wrestlers,” Davis said.
