Depth an advantage for Jay Co. wrestling team

No other team put up much of a fight against the Patriots during the conference dual championships last season.
They will be the team to beat again this year, and their roster size makes them the favorites for back-to-back championships.
“We have some decent depth which is an all right problem to have,” Eric Myers, Jay County High School’s wrestling coach, said of his defending Allen County Athletic Conference champion squad that has more than 40 members. “We have the ability to bump and move some guys around and automatically insert some backups and I think that gives us an advantage over other schools.
“They may not have the depth we have.”
One thing Jay County — it opens the 2016-17 season Tuesday at Centerville — doesn’t have is many upperclassmen. The Patriots have just three seniors.
“We have a young team,” Myers said.
While the Patriots may have found the fountain of youth, they do not lack experience. Four of the seven semi-state qualifiers from last year return, and the team has a freshman with credentials not seen too frequently from a youngster.
Seniors Tyler Leonhard and Ivan Hemmelgarn both had their seasons end in the semi-state ticket round last year, and both are hopeful to reach the next level.
“They look really good so far, looking focused,” Myers said. “Their goal isn’t just to make it to state. They want to medal.”
Leonhard, who is currently ranked 15th at 152 pounds by IndianaMat, will either stay at that weight or bump up to 160. Hemmelgarn wrestled at 160 a year ago, and he too may move up.
“(Hemmelgarn) looks like one of the most improved on the team and he was a ticket rounder,” Myers said.
Other returning semi-state qualifiers from last season are Gaven Hare and Kaimen Sanders. Hare lost by major decision in the first round to top-seeded Derek Paz of Goshen at 220 pounds, and Sanders (120 pounds) was pinned by eventual semi-state champ Hunter Langeloh of Columbia City. Hare is once again a 220-pounder, and Sanders might bump up to 126 pounds this season.
Freshman Mason Winner (152) has traveled the country competing in national tournaments. He dominated his way through the ACAC during middle school, and was rarely challenged.
“He’s been awesome,” Myers said. “Having a guy like that that has wrestled as many matches and has as many credentials he has to come in the (wrestling) room it is an awesome addition.
“He pushes everybody. He wrestles a different style and the other guys have picked up on that.”
Freshmen Carter Mitchell and Dylan Racster are in line to be the 106 pounders, with classmate Zakk Atkins at 113. Senior Nick Lykins will wrestle at 132, with Mitchell Ferguson at 138.
Sophomore Jordan Schricker will be the 145-pounder for the Patriots, but could also move down if Hemmelgarn, Leonhard and Winner drop a weight class too.
Daniel Ostrowski, a sophomore, was handcuffed last season because of the upperclassmen ahead of him, so he often gave up a lot of weight bumping up to the 195 pound weight class. He accepted the challenge and became a regional qualifier.
Now, he’ll drop to 182 in the place of state medalist and 2016 graduate Andy Kohler.
“He’ll get a chance to wrestle more a natural weight as a sophomore,” Myers said. “He is an excellent wrestler. I’m excited to see him get more varsity action.”
Max Schmit is the favorite to hold down Jay County’s roster spot at 195 pounds, and Lucas Schmit will be the heavyweight, despite weighing in around 200 pounds.
After opening Tuesday at Centerville, the Patriots compete in the Franklin Invitational in Dayton, Ohio. The ACAC duals tournament is Dec. 9 and 10 at Adams Central, while Jay County hosts the individual ACAC tournament Jan. 21.
The Patriots also host the East Central Indiana Classic on Dec. 23, and have home dual matches against Pendleton Heights (Dec. 13) and Homestead (Jan. 12). On Jan. 14, Jay County will split up its squad to participate in two tournaments, one at Blackford and the other in Coldwater, Ohio.
“We are sending what some may consider the B team to a varsity tournament this year so I’m pretty excited about that,” Myers said.