Duncan: Young squad could surprise people
LEDGER – Mitchell High School head wrestling coach Ed Duncan admits this season is likely a building year for the Mountaineers, but he also said he thinks this squad will surprise people.
“We have already taken some tough losses,” Duncan said. “I think we’ll come together and have a solid team. Our goal is to be in the conversation as the season progresses. It’s usually January or February before all the pieces are in place. We will have to be able to depend on our younger wrestlers more this year, and we are up to the challenge.”
As has been the case the past few years, several members joined the squad late in the wrestling season because of Mitchell’s deep run in the football playoffs. The team added seven wrestlers when football season ended and Duncan said he expects to add a few more over the next several weeks.
“We are all disappointed not to have a longer football season, of course, but the wrestlers we have had have been working hard,” he said. “We have a lot of inexperience to overcome. We have been fortunate for several years to have a lot of wrestlers that play football, and it just takes a little time for them to get their wrestling legs under them.”
One football player who has now joined the wrestling team is 126-pound senior Dylan Lowery, the reigning state runner-up in the 120-pound division who is 4-0 already this season. Another football player, senior Cameron Greene, is also 4-0 this season in the 160-pound weight division.
Duncan said he expects great seasons from senior 145-pound senior Seth Elassear (8-6) and 220-pound sophomore Noah Maltba (8-8).
“Our heavyweights Samuel Shook (285 pounds) and Tyler Brooks (285 pounds) are both 7-3,” Duncan said. “We have a great group of underclassmen. Sophomore Jason Smith (145 pounds) is off to a great year and junior Trenton Wheeler (132 pounds) has stepped up and is starting in the varsity lineup. We are making good progress. I’m excited about sophomore Xander Gardner (220 pounds) joining the team after football and he is progressing quickly.”
Duncan also has several female wrestlers on the roster this season. Sophomore Shiloh Brandt (120 pounds), freshman Serenity Sobolefski (138 pounds), freshman Haley Wheeler (106 pounds), junior Angel West (145 pounds). Wheeler (4-8) is starting for Mitchell in the 106-pound division, and West finished fourth in a girls’ tournament this past season as a sophomore.
“Female wrestling has emerging sports status with the NCAA and the NCHSAA is leaning toward having a girls’ championship,” Duncan said. “Some schools have full girls’ teams, such as Swain and West Henderson. Girls’ wrestling is here to stay.”
2019-20 Mitchell wrestling roster
Name Wt. Class Gender Grade Record
Shiloh Brandt 120 F So. 0-0
Trent Street 120 M Fr. 0-4
Elijah Smith 126 M So. 3-5
Adrian McFalls 126 M So. 0-0
Serenity Sobolefski 138 F Fr. 2-1
Jason Smith 145 M So. 2-6
Cameron Greene 160 M Sr. 4-0
Seth Goforth 170 M Sr. 1-0
Halley Wheeler 106 F Fr. 4-8
Cody Hughes 120 M Fr. 5-3
Dylan Lowery 126 M Sr. 4-0
Trenton Wheeler 132 M Jr. 7-9
Charles Ballew 132 M Fr. 0-0
Devon Hughes 138 M So. 0-0
Ben Schofield 145 M Fr. 0-0
Adrian Morales 138 M Jr. 2-2
Seth Elsaesser 145 M Sr. 8-6
Carson Phillips 145 M So. 0-2
Angel West 145 F Jr. 0-2
Isaac Holmes 152 M So. 0-6
Jacob Young 170 M Sr. 0-0
Zeb McKinney 182 M Sr. 1-1
Noah Maltba 220 M So. 8-8
Xander Gardner 220 M So. 1-1
Angel Castaneda 285 M Fr. 0-0
Samuel Shook 285 M Sr. 7-3
Tyler Brooks 285 M Sr. 7-3
Damion Riddle 126 M Fr. 0-0
Johnathan O’Shelds 285 M Sr. 0-0
Cameron Schofield 182 M Jr. 0-0