PENDLETON — With a returning state qualifier on the roster, the Pendleton Heights Arabians are looking not only to return to state this year but also to lay the groundwork for a future of state contenders.
Jared Brown, a state qualifier last year at 126 pounds, will move up a weight class on the mat. Along with Brown, other Arabians wrestlers who scored big last season are back. Cade Campbell, a Hoosier Heritage Conference champion and semistate qualifier, returns; he will move from the 220-pound class up to heavyweight. Justin Stephens, who won a sectional title last year at heavyweight, will move to the 285-pound class.
Blake Nicholson, another HHC champion, will move up to the 120-pound class, and Jaiden Tong will move from 113 to 138.
Growth spurts have pushed some Arabians wrestlers to different weight classes. Zack Sanford, who was a fill-in at the Madison County tourney, became a surprise winner at 160, returns and will move up as well
Jake Ehrgott, who wrestled as a fill-in during the HHC meet and placed third, brings that experience to the team.
In last year’s girls state wrestling finals, Sarah Dix placed fifth for the Arabians, and according to Cloud has returned technically improved and aggressive.
Cloud said the Arabians lost some big point-getters in the middle weights to graduation.
“We won’t have as much depth as we had in the past, and we’re a little down on numbers this year,” he said. “I don’t think we’ll be as dominating in dual meets, but this team has so much potential.”
He said the 126 to 145 classes have several good wrestlers available.
“It will be a scramble for those spots in challenges.”
Dylan Whistler and T.J. Swinford are back, along with varsity letter winners Colin Gillespie, Ethan Covert and A.J. Hopkins.
The Arabians have the potential to send more than one wrestler to state competition.
“I’m excited about the kids we got and not as big a senior class as last year,” Cloud said.
He said freshmen class is very strong, and the JV is full of talent.
In some cases, the JV will wrestle varsity against a few schools this season.
He expects Frankton, Anderson and Lapel to challenge the Arabians in the Madison County Tournament and believes Lapel may be the surprise team of the county.
Tough may be the word for the HHC and post-season. With the highly competitive and balanced sectional, repeating as champion will be a challenge, and the HHC is perennial shootout for top honors.
The season opens Nov. 23 with the Hamilton Heights Super Six, but only a few days later is one of the highlights of the Arabian schedule. The match against Greenfield-Central is slated for competition in the historic Hoosier Gym in Knightstown. The event has been in the works for months and is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 27.
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Schedule
Saturday, Nov. 23 Hamilton Heights Super Six 9 a.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 27 Greenfield Central at Hoosier Gym in Knightstown 6 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 7 New Castle Invitational 8:30 a.m
Saturday, Dec. 14 PHHS Super Six 8:30 a.m.
Monday, Dec. 16 @Anderson
Saturday, Dec. 21 Madison County @Lapel 8:30 am
Friday, Dec. 27 North Montgomery Dual 9 a.m
Saturday, Dec. 28 North Montgomery Dual 9 a.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 8 @Mt. Vernon
Saturday, Jan. 11 Tipton Invitational 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 14 Fishers 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 18 HHC @PHHS 8:30 a.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 22 Frankton 6:30 p.m.
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