Stars seek ACAC title

The Bellmont Braves have long been the premier wrestling program in this area of the state. And while no team has truly challenged them for the sectional title in some time, in recent years the Starfires have established them as the next team in line.
The South Adams High School squad, which opens its season at home Tuesday against Woodlan before heading to the Homestead Super Duals, have finished second at the Jay County sectional in each of the last two years. And they have shared a piece of the Allen County Athletic Conference championship in each of the last three.
“I know that every year they come in expecting more than they did the year before,” said coach Eric Myers of the way the program has developed over the last several seasons. “My hope is we can continue building … I know that they don’t expect any less than to be conference champions and be in the hunt to get a sectional one day.”
Returning to lead the team this season are a couple of wrestlers who were state qualifiers in 2009 before falling short of a trip to Conseco Fieldhouse last year.
Ehr is one of the most accomplished wrestlers in the history of the program, having advanced to the state finals at 130 points in 2009 and then racking up a 41-0 record on the way to sectional and regional titles last season. He set the single-season school record with 29 pins, and the SAHS all-time wins record will be within his reach this season.
But his 2010 tournament run was cut short when he lost 4-2 to Bryce Schendel of Garrett in the semi-state quarterfinals at 145 pounds.
“Coming off that semi-state loss, hopefully that’s etched in his memory and it helps to motivate him for this season,” said Myers. “He’s got a lot of natural ability, a lot of natural feel on the mat. … He can analyze where he’s at and feel where he’s at and take advantage of it.“A lot of kids can’t feel that, they have to think about it.”
Batt’s 2010 tournament was cut even shorter. After reaching the state finals at 112 poounds as a freshman, he dropped a 3-2 match in overtime at 119 in the opening round of the regional as a sophomore.
The team also brings back semi-state qualifier T.J. Burnfield, a 140-pounder who has wrestled at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum each of the last two seasons. Batt, who will wrestle at 125, racked up 26 wins a year ago, and Burnfield was 37-6 with 22 pins.
The rest of the projected starting lineup includes regional qualifiers L.J. Moser (112), Isaac Werst (171) and Drew Taylor (215) as well as Brady Harrison (119), Shea Pyle (130), Gabe Sprunger (135), Jordan Landers (160), Adam Hofstetter (160), Cody Conner (189). Freshman Maverick Morningstar will take over the heavyweight position from 2010 state qualifier Jim West, and fellow newcomers Braydon Myers, Simon Sprunger, Keegan Puterbaugh, Eric Pimentel and Kyle Kilsby will also challenge for time in the varsity lineup.
In terms of the conference, Myers said he hopes his squad will be able to avenge its lone regular-season dual loss from last season — Leo — and make the one final step after finishing second in the conference tournament a year ago.
“We’re hoping to win it,” said Myers. “I know these guys want to win it outright for once. …
“That’s their goal this year.
“With Adams Central and Garrett it’s going to be tough again, but we have enough horses coming back that I’m hoping we can pull it off.”[[In-content Ad]]