I’m really looking forward to this weekend. We’ve came a really long way and I’m proud of the way they’ve fought and wrestled. With this group of kids we’ve had this year, this team, we’ve had to fight really hard to get where we are at. If we could get everyone in the finals, that’s not going to be the case, but that doesn’t happen. “Obviously, it’s a well known fact that the consolation round that’s when it’s really won. “No matter what, if you get upset, if you lose a match you shouldn’t or you get beat early on, you got to forget about that, try to wrestle and move on from it,” coach Smith stressed. It’s been a fun year and I’ve enjoyed it.”Ĭoach Smith was hoping to have his entire team in Huntington, but the Patriots also will be represented by Jordan Dearth (106), Cade Staats (120), Aaydin King (126), Reese Kelley (132), Coleton Hill (138), Nathan Murphy (144) and 190-pounder Brycen Arthur. If we see somebody maybe slacking we’ll tell them, but we all just want to be champs and push each other. I’ve had some minor injuries, but this is my year and I’m ready. “Ever since I was a little kid I’ve wanted to be a state champion. It (wrestling for South) means the world. I’m going to keep it one match at a time, but I’m excited to wrestle. “I’ve been practicing hard just getting ready. “Definitely, I’m ready to wrestle him,” Morris said of potentially meeting the Bruin in the finals if he can navigate through his half of the bracket. Morris is ranked behind Brooke’s Tyler Wise. We’ve been working our butts off ever since the beginning of the season and we’re going to give it our best and we’re going to win.” “I’m excited for the state tournament though. “I don’t really know what to think,” Morris admitted of his days being numbered as a Patriot. Morris, who is ranked second, finished third at 215 in 2022 and had a fifth-place showing at 195 as a sophomore. You just got to have your moment at the right time.” Not that being the best guy on the mat, but the best guy on the mat that day, you know. “It always pushes you to be a little bit better than what you already were. Most of them haven’t really had to work hard going through middle school, but in the practice room now where there is always someone better than them, it’s always nice having guys that are ranked in the nation in the room. “I tell them to give it their all,” Powell said of the underclassmen. Powell would like nothing more than to end his career with a chance at another individual state crown as well as topping the field in the team race. “We started out the year real rough, but I think everyone is working hard and putting in their best work right now and we’re going to see the results we are expecting to see.” “I think we’re at a really good spot,” admitted Powell. Virginia Tech-bound Gage Wright and his 45-1 record at 175 leads the way for South, which also had Cole Smith (113), Makiya Powell (150), Cole Middleton (165), Ayden Morris (215) and heavyweight Logan Middleton win regional titles. Every single match you have to wrestle like it’s your last one. It kind of goes out the window and you have to wrestle as hard as you can every single match and that’s what I kind of told them. “Yes, there’s individuals who could’ve gotten a better draw, and clearly that’s what we would’ve liked, but when it comes down to the state tournament that stuff doesn’t matter. For the most part, I thought we had a pretty decent draw overall. Make it through this weekend and show that we are not going away. Hopefully, we’re a little more healthy than everyone else. There are guys that are banged up, but obviously I think at this point everyone is a little banged up. As long as we are number one after this weekend that’s all that matters,” coach Smith said after Monday’s practice.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |