What happened?Over Thanksgiving break, the wrestling team traveled to Lakewood, Ohio, to compete in the St. Edward Duals. The team competed against Iowa Central, Findlay and Iowa Saturday. The team received its first dual win of the season by beating Iowa Central in the opening round. But, by the end of the tournament, the wrestling team lost to Findlay and No. 4 Iowa, bringing the team’s dual record to 1-5 for the season.
“Even though we were out manned against Iowa, I was pleased with their effort,” coach Carter Jordan said.
Who’s Hot?“The lightweights are doing really well,” Taylor Cummings, a redshirt sophomore at the 125 weight class, said.
But according to Jordan, the team is improving with each practice.
“Individually, Joey Caramanica and Darrion Caldwell are doing really well,” Jordan said. “They are beating some really good guys, some nationally ranked guys.”
Jordan also said he was impressed with the way Cummings and freshman Bobby Isola have improved.
Who’s Not?In the past, the team has had some discipline problems, according to Jordan. Now the real issue is becoming a team and working together, freshman Darrius Little said.
“We need to come together more as a family and support each other,” Little said. “We’re starting to come together more at practice. We’re not arguing anymore and not going at it as much — we’re starting to focus and listen.” Jordan said figuring out where everyone will be wrestling this year is one of the biggest problems — and the athletes agreed.
“Our youth is hurting us the most,” Cummings said. “We need to figure out were everyone fits.”
What’s Next?The wrestling team will travel to Las Vegas, to wrestle in the Cliff Kean Las Vegas Invitational from Nov. 30 to Dec. 1.
“Las Vegas is pretty much the biggest tournament we have besides nationals,” Cummings said.