The Fredericktown boys wrestling team season is underway.
Coach Casey Hoeflich hopes that two returning wrestlers, Mason Hoeflich and Lucas Herbst, can provide experience that will help the team as a whole.
"Our team strategy is to get better every time we step onto the mat," Coach Hoeflich said. "The sky is the limit with this young group. We emphasize the importance of out-working our opponents, and eventually this will pay off."
This is Hoeflich's fifth year coaching in the program but his first year as the team's head coach. The Freddies lost one senior to graduation – Xavier Platt. Hoeflich said Platt brought a toughness to the mat that he wished some of his young wrestlers could have seen. He hopes Mason Hoeflich and Herbst can lead the way in this regard.
"We have two returning wrestlers who are both three-year letter winners," Hoeflich said. "Mason Hoeflich and Lucas Herbst are our go-to guys. Lucas and Mason were both leaders on the football field and are now bringing that leadership to the mat ... Mason Hoeflich is the backbone of our team. Mason is a 190-pound senior who has endless possibilities in wrestling. He sets the pace in our practices and in the weight room. Mason has experience and the ability to lead. Can't wait to see where this season takes him. Lucas Herbst is our number-one heavyweight (at 285 pounds). Lucas has great speed and movement for a big man. Lucas has great potential and is a true leader. Everyone on the team looks up to him."
The team is full of young wrestlers, with many in their first year, Hoeflich said. Sophomore Blake Green is one heavyweight who shows promise this season. Hoeflich said Green has "a bright future ahead of him." Carter Warner is another heavyweight wrestler who is "respectful and eager to learn."
Sophomore Trent Rook brings energy to the 113-pound weight class, and Hoeflich said he has already shown success. Fellow sophomores Dalton Lang and Lagan Deems are in the 132- and 138-pound weight class, respectively, and have caught the attention of their coach.
Freshman Brice Hay is in the 144-pound weight class and has shown a great attitude while setting the pace for young wrestlers, Hoeflich said. Freshman Nick McFarren is in the 150-pound weight class, and Hoeflich admires his work ethic.
First-year junior Isaac Rhoades showed that he loves to learn about the sport and impressed Hoeflich. Konnor Manley is a first-year junior in the 175-pound weight class that Hoeflich said is a physical wrestler.
Nicholas Mitchell is in the 165-pound weight class and brings experience to the program. Hoeflich said he was a surprise addition to the team and they are happy to have him.
Lane Warner, who Hoeflich is excited about, is coming back after a knee injury suffered during the football season. First-year freshman wrestler Wyatt Todd rounds out the team, and Hoeflich looks forward to seeing what he can do on the mat.
The team's motto is "strength and honor." Hoeflich said it rings true to the team's overall effort.
"The wrestlers chose this because these are things they want to carry with them the rest of their lives," he said.
The Freddies' first meet this season was at the Tom Ellis Classic in Madison on Dec. 3. They placed ninth out of 13 teams with 105 points. Mason Hoeflich led the way with 49 total points. He was 4-1 in the 190-pound weight class and came in third place. Herbst was 3-2 and placed second.
Rook went 1-3 in the 120-pound weight class; Lang was 0-2 in the 132-pound weight class; Deems was 2-3 and fourth place in the 138-pound weight class; Hay was 1-3 in the 144-pound weight class; McFerren was 3-2 and placed fifth in the 150-pound weight class; Isaac Rhoades was 0-4 in the 165-pound weight class; and Konnor Manley was 1-3 in the 175-pound weight class.
Next up for Fredericktown is a meet at Columbus Academy on Jan.11 at 5:45 p.m. Fredericktown hosts their first meet on Jan.14 at 10 a.m. with 17 other schools.
