With an experienced boys team returning, the Salina wrestling program is poised for a nice season on the mat. Head coach Wes Harding said the experience is nice, but several underclassmen will need to step up this season.
“We have a very experienced team but over half our starters will be freshman. Our junior high team went undefeated last year in duals and took sixth overall in the junior high boys division at junior high all state…hopefully the freshmen will rise to the occasion. We also looking forward to our seniors Maverick Williamson, two-time state champ, Payton House, Joseph Robbins, and Tyler Strickland to help leading our young group the right way,” said Harding.
Maverick Williamson who the state title last season at heavy weight and is looking to add his name to the list of three-time state champions in Oklahoma. Williamson is considered to be a great leader on and off the mat according to coach Harding.
“Maverick is a 4.0 student and leads on and off the mat. Great person and wrestler who loves to compete,” said Harding.
Coming into the season, Rokfin.com has Salina ranked No. 4 overall in Class 3A with 8 wrestlers ranked. One ranked wrestler at 106-pounds is Lane Walters who made a name for himself in junior high. Walters is the No. 5 ranked wrestler at that weight class. Aaron Blevins is an exciting junior who is ranked No. 3 at 120-pounds and is another wrestler with a shot at making the podium this season. Elijah Gardner comes in at 126-pounds and is a junior this season. Gardner is ranked No. 3 at that weight and is expected to have a great season. Jescee Sanders grabs a No. 4 ranking at 165-pounds and is another underclassman coach Harding references as a wrestler the team will lean on this season despite the inexperience at the varsity level. Jyce Glass is a junior this year and comes into the season ranked No. 6 at 175-pounds. Glass will only get better as the season presses forward and could be a wrestler that surprises some opponents this season. Payton House is a senior and is ranked No. 10 at 190-pounds. The ranking may be a little low for House, but is could be the motivation to make his final season one to remember. As expected, Williamson is ranked No. 1 at 285.
“Obviously the goal is to go get that third one, but the team is looking good. We have a lot of young guys, but they are experienced. They know how to wrestle, and they are not going to back down when it gets tough. The goal is to get everyone to buy in and go make a run for a team title. Wrestling for coach Harding, we are going to be prepared, we just have to go prove it,” said Williamson.
Coach Matt Simmons is coaching the girl’s program which is in its first year of competition.
“We are in our first year as a program and are looking forward to building a program. It will take some time, but we are encouraged by the excitement within the program,” said Simmons.
