March 19, 2024

Participation numbers up for Clarke wrestling

Clarke head wrestling coach Brian Reece could hardly contain his excitement when it came to this year’s participation numbers for Clarke wrestling.

“It’s just nice to see the room filled,” he said. “I think between high school and middle school, we have about 40 kids out. That’s easily the most we’ve had in a while. It’s more than twice the number I had the first couple of years. I’m pretty happy with that. The energy level is much higher than it has been in the past.”

Reece’s team features a mix of raw athletes with several athletes who have a lot of wrestling experience.

That mix has presented a challenge for the coaching staff during practices, but it’s a good challenge to be facing.

“We have guys that are pretty green,” Reece said. “Trying to mix them in with our seasoned kids presents a challenge for a coach to get through the basics, but also make sure our advanced kids have an idea what’s going on, too.”

With the high participation numbers this year, Reece said his team should be able to fill out most of the weight classes.

Sophomore Ian Showers headlines the list of returners after falling just one match short of making it to districts last year.

“He had a pretty good opportunity and showed some pretty good grit for a freshman,” Reece said. “We’re expecting a lot from him this year.”

Junior Morales was a captain for the team last year and returns to provide leadership for the Indians this year. Gable Reece, now a junior, had a strong season last year, falling just short of districts.

Nathan Riley is a returner who Reece said he feels could make a big improvement this year.

“Some of our other returners are physically there, they just need to get a little better technique-wise,” Reece said. “Nathan Riley is going to be grown into his weight class. Last year as a freshman, he was a little undersized at the weight class he wrestled. He’s put on a lot of muscle and put a lot of work in, so we’re excited for him.”

Senior John Cuttshall has been out all four years of high school and also provides some leadership for the Indians.

“It’s time for it to click for our upperclassmen,” Reece said. “Hopefully this is the year that it clicks for them.”

Most of the newcomers on the team this year will spend the year wrestling JV, which Reece said will be good for them to have the opportunity to learn at the JV level.

Brock Brokaw is a wrestler who could work his way into the varsity lineup depending on how the weight classes shake out.

“He had a pretty successful year last year on the JV level,” Reece said. “If we can get him in the varsity lineup, depending on how the weights shake out, he could have a pretty good year as a newcomer.”