The goal for Polk County’s wrestling program this season is a simple one – make a return to the state 2A dual team playoffs.
Head coach Phillip Miller thinks he has the team to achieve that target – once he actually has the team.
With as many as 10 potential team members still involved with the Wolverine football program, it could be a while before the Polk wrestling lineup is at full strength. But once all are in the fold, Miller has high expectations for the 2013-14 season.
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“Even though Polk County hasn’t made the state dual playoffs in four or five years, that’s our goal,” Miller said. “With five (2A) teams in our conference, that means we need to finish in the top two. That’s our first goal. We want to make the state duals.
“We’re awfully young this year, and even when we get the football players back we’ll still be awfully young. It’s a building process, but the foundation looks good. Things are definitely on the upswing for Polk County wrestling.”
Helping fuel that optimism is a core group of five starters that each have, according to Miller, a definite shot at reaching the 2A individual state championship meet. That group includes Damian Cantrell, who recently transferred back to the school. Cantrell wrestled last season for Landrum, placing third in the state in the 160-pound class. He is currently battling an Achilles injury and could be out until mid-December.
“I feel like we’re probably going to put at least five people in the state,” Miller said. “Chase McMurray will do well. He can make the state, that’s our goal for him. Damian Cantrell, when he gets healthy, we expect him to go to state. Anthony Marino will do well. Chase Emory, even though he’s a freshman, we’re eyeing him as another one who could make it to the state meet.”
Emory won his first two high school matches on Tuesday at East Rutherford. Also winning a pair of matches was another freshman, Drew Wahon, who wrestled at 285. McMurray will move into that class once he returns from football, but Miller thinks Wahon could still be a factor this season.
“I was pretty impressed with Drew Wahon,” Miller said. “I can see him moving down and wrestling at 220 for us once Chase is back.”
Seniors Franklin Sandoval and Matthew Reedy will also play a key role this season, and Miller also has high hopes for Dustin Calvert.
One benefit of the football-related absences has been a chance for some of the squad’s younger members to garner some early mat time, which could mean much-needed depth later in the season. Miller expects to fill every weight class this year except 106, for which he’s not been able to find a wrestler.
“It’s a good time for the younger guys,” he said. “It’s good for those kids who may not get to wrestle as much everyone’s out.
“Come the first of the the year, I think we’re going to be where we need to be. I think we’ll have a pretty good team.”
The Wolverines will return to the mat on Tuesday, traveling to North Henderson for a tri-match with North and Cherokee. A busy tournament schedule is also planned, with five tournaments, including three for junior varsity wrestlers. “Everybody is going to get plenty of matches and plenty of experience,” Miller said.
