09-10 Wrestling

[FCWC]

I know it's early, but what are some thoughts on this years team. I will post my two cents later tonight.

[FCWC]

I'm excited about this year. FC looks strong at quite a few weights. We could have as many as 6 qualifiers this year. With Jake Babb and Tanner Merz returning as seniors, and Dakota Schulenberg returning, they have some great experience. I predict all 3 to return to the Quest Center in Feb. All 3 are phenomanal wrestlers and are the core of the team. Bryce Hayes and Tate Hayes will return at 103 and 112. Logan Auffert will return at 140. All three lost in the heartbreak round last year, missing the trip to state by one match. Tanner led the team last year with 28 wins, Bryce had 25, Jake 23, Tate 20, Colby Mooney had 16, and Logan had 15. All should improve this year as some of the seniors are gone, and some upperclassmen have moved up in weight. Brad Gresham and Shane Phroper should win some matches if they are at 145 and 130. Austin Campbell moved up to 215 and shouldn't have to cut weight this year. Newcomer Wade Maddox should pick up some wins as a freshman, but will come in at a difficult weight class. 125-135?. I would like to see a Butrick or two on the mat, but who knows. They would likely letter and eventually end up in Omaha, but they are good roundballers as well. If the team stays healthy, there are several kids who can make the trip to Omaha. Good luck to all the kids who go out. Come out and support them. I apoligize if I missed anyone. Feel free to add your comments.

[Tiger Fan]

Rumor is that Jesse Butrick will play basketball this year and Dakota Butrick will wrestle.

[FCWC]

Practice starts Monday, and it's good to hear that Dakota is going out. I'll post again after reading the Class reviews on Huskermat.

[student]

yes Dakota will be wrestling this year at 130. and Maddox (the only other freshman) is trying to get down to 125.

[FCWC]

Just checked the Huskermat website and am pleased with what I saw. I predicted 6 wrestlers to make it to Omaha about a month ago. I am sticking with my prediction. At 103, Mertes from Auburn is the preseason state champ pick, if he makes it. Bryce Hayes will make a trip to Omaha in Feb. There is another decent wrestler in the district, and he could end up either 2nd or 3rd. Tate Hayes, at 112 will also make the trip. Betts from Neb. City and Roxburg from Gretna are two notables in his division. He will face Betts in the first match of the season, and we will know more then. Logan Auffert will join the Hayes brothers. At 140, Darian Haynes will beat Logan in the district final. At 152, Jake Babb will return, facing preseason state champ pick Matt Oliver in the district final. Taylor McCallister, from Plattsmouth will also be a good challenge. Dakota, at 171, I think can make it. With a year off, he will need to get back in wrestling shape. Janovich, Larsen, and Boden, from Auburn are in the way, but Larsen is hurt from football at this point. At 189, Tanner will meet Nichelson from Ashland in the district final. They met in a few close matches last year. Maddox, Butrick, Mooney, Phroper, and Gresham will win some matches also that will make the team stronger. Hopefully Cole Ackerman will make 160, and he will be an excellent addition. First meet is Thursday in Neb. City. Not too far to drive, come support the Tiger Wrestlers.

[FCWC]

The 09-10 FC Tigers started off strong tonite in Neb. City. They won 46-23 in their opener. Bryce Hayes won 3-2 at 103. Bryce has cut about 20 pounds, and it was a little evident tonite. He looked a little flat, but after a few weeks, he will gain some strength back. Anthony Ritter lost by fall at 112, and Tate Hayes bumped up to 119 to wrestle a pretty stalky Jesse Barton, winning 7-3. FC was open at 125, but that spot will be filled by Wade Maddox in a couple weeks. At 130, freshman Dakota Butrick, in his first varsity match, beat a senior by the score of 7-2. He dominated the entire match and will be pretty tough after he gets some matches in. Wade got bumped to 135, and faced NC’s best wrestler, Blake Kennell. Blake is a tremendous talent who makes the top guys at his weight look silly. If you ever get a chance to watch him, don’t blink. Logan Auffert dominated for a 13-2 win. Colby Mooney, who will be 135, wrestled 145 tonite and won by fall. Senior Brad Gresham started his final campaign out right with a pin at 152. He will eventually be 145. Jake Babb at 160 received a forfeit. 160 may be where Jake stays. At 171, Dakota Schulenberg looked extremely strong. NC’s 171 is pretty tough, and only managed an escape and a penalty point against Schu. Dakota won 9-2, and needs to get in a little better wrestling shape, but this was an excellent start. Not all guys will be as tough as Moyer, and he will get his seasoning in. Cole Ackerman received a forfeit at 189, and Tanner Merz got one at 215. Trevor Wisdom wrestled HWT, and dominated most of the match. Having never wrestled, he didn’t do too bad. He just got caught midway through the third period. Marysville Ks is next Thursday, and Crete is next Saturday. Put it on your calendars. The kids who I thought were going to be tough were, and I was impressed with about 4 others. Should be an exciting year once everyone settles into their weight class. That’s my two cents.