Fredericktown wrestling teams look to grow with new talent, strong returners

The Fredericktown boys’ wrestling team will have some big holes to fill this winter, but will have a talented group of returners and newcomers ready to do just that.

The Freddies lost Devon Whitt, a district qualifier, as well as Trent Rook, who just missed qualifying for district, and Dalton Lang and Jonathan Burns.

Looking to fill those shoes are seniors Jayce Beeman (144 pounds) and Brice Hay (175), as well as juniors Gavin Galbraith (126) and Aidan Ebersole (165), and sophomore Tripp Gray (190). Gray just missed a shot at districts a year ago.

New head coach Joe Stotts will also look for big things from freshmen Owen Garver (138) and Xavier Whitt (150), as well as senior Domenic Wolpe (285), who returns after a few years away from the sport.

“I look forward to seeing our progress this season as a young team in respect to experience,” Stotts said. “As a team and individuals, we have all set goals for the season, this includes the coaching staff. I think our biggest strength is going to be sheer determination to put Fredericktown on the map as a competitive wrestling school.”

The Freddies are only missing one weight class this year (106), and have a bevy of talent coming up from middle school. Stotts feels that the early portion of their season may see some struggles, but once they get things going, the talent will begin to show itself.

“I feel like we may have a rocky start before we gain the momentum to be successful,” Stotts said.

While the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference is expected to be its normal competitive self, Stotts feels his squad should be ready to compete thanks to a solid schedule, which includes its own Freddie Invitational on Jan. 10.

“I think across the board the league is looking competitive, but I’m hopeful we can finish close to or at the top of the conference tournament,” Stotts said.

Fredericktown girls

The Fredericktown girls’ wrestling team continues to grow.

The Freddies return three letter winners from a year ago, but a large contingent of newcomers has the team ready to tackle new things.

Returning for coach Ellen Hoam are juniors Anna Miller and Kerrigan Murray-Brooks, as well as sophomore Truth Yarman.

The Freddies also have two new juniors — Kristina Meszarosova and Aliza Lotz, as well as freshman Addy Hess — who are hoping to add depth and talent to the squad.

 “We have more weight classes filled this season, so we are hopeful in our scoring prospects,” said Hoam. “I expect to see good offensive wrestling this year.”

Hoam knows with a bunch of newcomers to the sport that the early portion of the season will be spent on basics, but she believes there is enough talent and athleticism there to pick things up quickly.

The Freddies begin the season on Sunday, Dec. 7, wrestling in the Highland Invitational.