Youth won't stop grapplers
COLFAX — If this coming season for the Colfax-Mingo wrestling team is going to be a success, it has to come from the youth on the roster.
“I think experience-wise it’s one of the least experienced I’ve had,” Colfax-Mingo coach Bryan Poulter said. “I’ve been real pleased with this group of freshmen — nice group of freshmen. It’s one of those groups that if they stick together, they could have a very nice team.”
The Tigerhawks graduated seven wrestlers from last year’s team, including district qualifier Justis Robson. Also gone are Shadow Ross, Matt Holett, Jeff Lamb, Joe Parker, Mike Roam and Trevor Warrick.
Colfax-Mingo brings in 18 wrestlers — six starters — to a season-opening meet Dec. 1 at Woodward-Granger. At 103, Poulter has as many as three wrestlers competing for the spot — Jayell Woods, Steven Lahart and Kip Preeden.
Freshman Jaden Van Dyke is looked at for 112, Justin Fisher is at 119, Joey Tiffany sits at 125 and Dalton Mindham is at either 130 or 135.
Junior Chase Russell — a first-year wrestler — will probably compete at 140.
“He’s a hard worker and very strong athlete,” Poulter said. “He’s got a very good attitude. He knows it’s going to be a tough road to catch up for a while.”
At 145 or 152, it’ll be Austin Poulter, while Jeff Tiffany or Nick Bowman will wrestle at 160 or 171. Jacob Halferty will compete at 189 or 215, while Poulter is without a heavyweight this season.
“The whole group has been enjoyable to work with and very positive attitudes, willing to work hard and very coachable,” Poulter said. “It’s a nice group to get going with.”
With the amount of youth this season, it’s a different approach for Poulter with a young and inexperienced team.
“As a team, we can have tremendous growth and development,” Poulter said. “We need to make sure that they’re not getting discouraged. We’re going to have to keep them positive and if it gets rough, tell them there will be better days and it’ll pay off.”
Heading into conference action, Poulter looks for South Hamilton, Ogden, Gilbert and Bondurant-Farrar as favorite for the race.
“I think the conference is well balanced, and there is no easy nights in the conference,” Poulter said. “They are all going to tough battles. I’m not sure if there is a dominant, lock for a conference champion. We will see how people progress. It could be a close conference meet.”
For Colfax-Mingo, Poulter wants his team to be up there with the conference favorites.
“I think we have to try to have goals of being in the top half of the conference,” Poulter said. “I think that would be a good goal for us. If we could obtain that, that would be a good thing. If you’re in the top half, you’ve had some guys. It’s a tough conference.”
Down the road, Colfax-Mingo will travel to a sectional meet this season at Pleasantville, much closer to home.
“Geographically it’s in our back yard,” Poulter said. “We’re not driving 90 miles to drive to a sectional. We know something about these teams. It’ll be good for us to compete at. It’ll be more motivating to go so close to home.”
In the end, Poulter wants to see improvement from his wrestlers throughout the season.
“They need to be willing to constantly work hard and want to learn and develop and continue to raise their level. Whatever their level they’re at, raise the level. If they can do that, they can climb a lot of rungs of the ladder.”
