Youth will be the key to Wildcat wrestling program
Published 9:18 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008
With three consecutive league and district titles under its belt, the Mount Si wrestling program is considered by many to be a powerhouse team. That strength will be tested this year by many new faces, as the Wildcats return only four starters.
Ten seniors are missing from this year’s lineup, but eager to take their place are 40 team members. Starting returnees will be Dylan Seubert at 215 pounds, Jordan Prior at 119 pounds, Nick Martindale at 135 pounds and Jason Rothgeb at 103 pounds.
With so many new wrestlers, the team’s coaching efforts will be critical. Back again for his 14th season is Bruce Caldwell. Caldwell knows what it takes to win in this league, and also knows that he will have to put in a little extra effort on the coaching duties.
“We definitely have some work to do, but the interesting part of it is, other teams have lost people, too,” said Caldwell. “The two top teams, Mount Si and Liberty, both lost a lot, so maybe we have come down a bit. Then you have Cedarcrest, on its way up along with Mercer Island, with both having quite a few kids that did OK.”
Behind each coach is the person who pays attention to the details, like scoring, weight classes, etc. Back for another year is Mike Johnston, who has been assisting Caldwell for his entire tenure at Mount Si.
Seubert took fourth in the league tournament last year and second in the district tournament. He is likely to be a state placer this year, having fallen short of that goal at last year’s state tournament. Another state participant, Martindale, took second at the Sea-King District tournament, but also did not place at state.
Other returnees that were not part of last year’s starting lineup include Kyle Jacobsen, Eddie Roberts (both letter winners), Craig Fanger, Nick Ippolito, Kyle Jacobsen and Jon Emerson.
The Wildcats have had a long history of battles with league rival Liberty, and this year should prove to be no exception. Both teams have dominated the top two spots of KingCo for more than three years, but this season other teams will have their chance.
“The last few years, the top team was whoever was undefeated,” said Caldwell. “But this year it may be somebody that takes the dual-meet championship, and maybe it’s someone that has lost a dual. I think it’s going to be an exciting year in terms of being close. I think there are maybe four teams that are going to be at the top.”
Other teams that are likely to join the ranks of the wrestling elite this year are Mercer Island and Cedarcrest. The Red Wolves will be boasting a state champ in Aaron Pedeferri, and a new coach in Jeff Newcomer. “Obviously Cedarcrest is bringing back a lot of returners and a lot of strength,” said Caldwell.
With so many new faces filling the varsity ranks, it is unclear how the team will perform. “We have two state participants returning, but most of our spots will be filled with wrestlers who are new to varsity,” said Caldwell. “We will have the same depth this year, but maybe not the same quality of depth. But we will have some wrestlers who were freshman last year that will be backing up our starters this year.”
Leading the pool of young freshman talent is Alex Haas. Haas has been wrestling freestyle for several years and will prove to be a powerhouse for Mount Si in the 112-pound class. “He will be fun to watch, kind of a lot like Ben Veyna,” said Caldwell.
The current list of starters is far from set in stone, but so far the varsity team is as follows: 103 pounds, Jason Rothgeb; 112 pounds, Alex Haas; 119 pounds, Jordan Prior; 125 pounds, open; 130 pounds, Jon Emerson; 135 pounds, Nick Martindale; 140 pounds, open; 145 pounds, Eddie Roberts; 152 pounds, Kyle Jacobsen; 160, 171 and 189 all open; 215 pounds, Dylan Seubert; heavy, Tyler Bergstrom.
“We have a couple of weights that are open,” said Caldwell. “Nick Ippolito could go 189 for a match or two or even 171, which would be tough. We don’t know how Roger Patterson is going to do. Chris Ippolito should go at 140. Maybe John Paul Likes at 160, depending on how well he develops.
The Wildcats start their season hosting the annual David Szczepanik Memorial Tournament t his Saturday beginning at 9:30 a.m., with participants from Blanchet, Hazen, Kennedy, Interlake, Washington and Redmond. Then they have their first dual with Inglemoor, who finished 7-2 in leaguelast year, a tie for second in KingCo 4A. Their top wrestler is Paul Sewell who took first at 125 pounds in the district last year as a junior.
When asked how many more seasons he will likely stay with the program, Caldwell chuckled and answered, “I’ll probably go five or 10 more years.” He then added, “We won’t be dyeing our hair this year, though, if we win league.”
