That kind of beginning remains rare in Mecklenburg County, where even middle school wrestling is nonexistent. But it's not unusual at Hough High, where wrestlers are benefiting from the extra years in the sport.
"It's huge to have the kids that have some experience," says Hough coach Tripp Rogers. "Getting a kid with experience is few and far between. When you can get a few of those kids, it helps a lot."
Many of the young wrestlers at Hough got their start in the local Titan Wrestling Academy. And it's why although Hough's roster lists just two seniors, it's full of wrestlers with much more experience than it would appear.
"We're basically a tight-knit family," says junior Adam Nivens, who began wrestling in the fourth grade. "We've all grown up together and wrestled together."
Nivens and sophomore Jake Efird earned spots in last year's 4A state tournament in the 119 and 140-pound weight classes, respectively, and return to lead a Hough team that has its sights set high in its second season.
"I feel like we're way ahead of where we were last year," says Rogers.
The Huskies finished fourth in the I-Meck Conference standings and third in the league tournament last year, and five team members posted at least 32 wins, including Palmer Maples (32-21), Efird (34-14), Ed Stokes (38-20), Tanner Russ (45-12) and Nivens (46-13). Hayden Smith and Christian York combined for 48 more wins last year, and Maples won the 160-pound weight class championship at last week's Jim Hayes Invitational at Rocky River High. The aforementioned seven are a combined 51-10 already this season, led by York, who is 9-1 after getting five wins at the Hayes Invitational.
"They all worked hard over the summer," says Rogers. "You can see the difference already."
Rogers says the Huskies will be especially tough in the middle of the lineup, where Nivens, Russ and Stokes wrestle in succession. All reached the finals of the I-Meck tournament last year.
Entering Wednesday's home tri-match with Independence and South Point, Hough was 4-0 in duals with wins over Parkwood, South Meck, Cox Mill and Myers Park.
North Meck continues to rebuild its program. Sean Finkbeiner's second Viking team includes 34 wrestlers — many more than last year's team which struggled to fill a lineup — but just five who are not in their first year on the mat. ...
Junior captains Jalen Hill (138 pounds) and Mitch Loll (170) have combined for nine pins so far this season and are being relied upon to lead. Anthony Amos (132) has four wins and leads the team with 19 takedowns. Kadeem Sherill, at 145 pounds, also has four wins.
The Vikings entered Tuesday's match at East Rowan with a 1-5 record, having defeated East Meck. ...
Former college coach Everett Wine is in his first year leading the Hopewell program and takes over a team that won 11 matches a year ago.
Senior Austin Randall is the Titans' lone returning state qualifier. He qualified in the 103-pound weight class and was 24-5 overall. He is wrestling at 113 pounds this year.
Wesley Petrick, also a senior, wrestles at 120 pounds and had the most wins last year among this season's returners, going 29-7. He won the I-Meck title last season at 112 pounds.
The Titans are also counting on production from Austin Householder (126 pounds), Dajon Lacey (145), Gore Vaughn (170) and Deshjion Whitlock (182). ...
SouthLake Christian's roster includes just two seniors, and coach John Nerness' lineup includes five freshmen. The Eagles have been building their program the last few years, but the Eagles have a strong middle school program and Nerness says the team's strength is in its work ethic.
That especially pertains to junior captain Sam Bryant, whom Nerness says has turned a corner because of his effort. Bryant recently took fourth place in a 37-team, three-day tournament in Greenville, S.C. Christopher Green is another Eagle to watch. He took seventh in the same event.
