LAPEL — Filling every weight class has been a goal of Lapel wrestling coach Jake Stilwell since he became head coach. This season, he has the students to do so.
“It’s pretty good we’ll have enough per class,” Stilwell said.
The Bulldogs have four seniors leading the group, but 13 wrestlers on the squad have varsity experience with 5 to 10 matches on the mat last year.
Stilwell is glad to have the experienced squad. It’s the first time in three years he’s had the pendulum swing to that side.
“We do still have some new kids who will have a learning curve,” Stilwell said. “We have expectations. We have high expectations as a team.”
Teague Scherer, Hunter Morris, Bryan Rodriguez and Killian O’Connor are the seasoned veterans guiding the Bulldogs.
“We have really good leaders. They’re hard workers, and they also know when to have fun,” Stilwell said.
Rodriguez and Scherer had to miss the sectional last season because of injury.
Stilwell said the Bulldogs have depth this season.
“We’re going to compete every single time, and I think we’ll surprise some people.”
Junior Gage Thompson returns and was a regional qualifier in the 170-pound weight class.
Thompson won 15 matches for the Bulldogs last year.
Stilwell is hoping Thompson will make a run to the semistate in the post season.
Also returning for the Bulldogs are underclassmen sophomores Kyle Shelton and Grant Morris, both of whom wrestled in the sectional last year.
Stilwell said he appreciates having the balance of wrestlers who have been with the program for enough time to understand not only what is expected but also how they coach.
“It’s exciting to have this talent with us for a long time,” he said.
Although Lapel is a small school team, it has far-reaching goals, goals Stilwell believes the Bulldogs are capable of achieving.
“We’re working to qualify as a 1A team to state. If we continue to build, we could do that. We could wrestle as a team at the state.”
While on the way to that goal, the Bulldogs are excited and eager to place well in the Madison County Tournament in December.
Stilwell is also looking to win an invitational this season. Last year, the Bulldogs placed third in the Connersville Invitational. Because of severe weather, Lapel had to cancel its own invitational last January. This year, the Neil Muse Invitational at Lapel will be Jan. 18 and play host to Anderson, Clinton Central, Eastern Hancock, Jefferson and South Side.
Additionally, the Bulldogs have added the Guerin Catholic Invitational Jan.11.
The team opens its season in the Elwood Super Duels Nov. 23. Their first of only three home dual meets is Nov. 26 against Randolph Southern.
“We are ready and definitely looking forward to this season,” Stilwell said.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Roster” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Seniors
Hunter Morris
Killian O’Conner
Bryan Rodriguez
Teague Scherer
Juniors
Erik Davis
Walker Hobbs
Payden Hudson
Ethan McCroy
Jared Roundtree
Gage Thompson
Sophomores
Ian Dove
Ryan Follmar
Clayton McMillian
Eli Michalek
Grant Morris
Charlie Pitcock
Kyle Shelton
Freshmen
Alan Buzan
Ethan Hewitt
Jacob Key
Colby Klegg
Kegan O’Connor
Patrick Phel
Bruin White
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Saturday, Nov. 23 @Elwood (Super Duels) 9 a.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 26 Randolph Southern (with Blue River Valley, Hagerstown) 6 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 07 @Maconaquah (Invitational) 8:30 a.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 11 Alexandria 6 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 21, open date (Madison County) 8 a.m.
Friday, Dec. 27 @Connersville (Spartan Classic) 9 a.m.
Saturday, Dec. 28 @Connersville HS (Spartan Classic) 9 a.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 7 @Union City Community High School (with Knightstown and Centerville) 6 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 11 @Guerin Catholic (Invitational) 9 a.m.
Saturday, Jan. 18, Neil Muse Invitational (Anderson, Clinton Central, Eastern Hancock, Jefferson, South Side 9 a.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 22 @Daleville 6 p.m.
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Roster” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Seniors
Hunter Morris
Killian O’Conner
Bryan Rodriguez
Teague Scherer
Juniors
Erik Davis
Walker Hobbs
Payden Hudson
Ethan McCroy
Jared Roundtree
Gage Thompson
Sophomores
Ian Dove
Ryan Follmar
Clayton McMillian
Eli Michalek
Grant Morris
Charlie Pitcock
Kyle Shelton
Freshmen
Alan Buzan
Ethan Hewitt
Jacob Key
Colby Klegg
Kegan O’Connor
Patrick Phel
Bruin White
[sc:pullout-text-end]