Freeman, Liberty Wrestlers Match Up
Freeman and Liberty wrestling teams are in different leagues, but they have a common goal.
The Northeast A League Scotties and Bi-County League Lancers will face each other in post-season for berths in the State 1A/B tournament at Mat Classic XI. Last year, the schools combined for 17 regional and six state entries from 20-team Region III.
Most of those wrestlers return.
Among them were 158-pound state placers Dan Mewhinney of Liberty and Jeff Wigen of Freeman who finished fifth and sixth respectively.
They’ll be in different weights this year.
State qualifiers Pat Conley from Liberty and Chris Fulkerson from Freeman wrestled each other for fifth and sixth during regionals and could be in the same weight classes again.
Freeman veterans seek next rung
The Scotties enjoyed a successful first year in the new A/B classification with a team that had but one senior.
The team is still young, with just three seniors and needing to replace two regional veterans who didn’t turn out. But experience gained by the returnees could mean better things this year.
“We’re sure excited about the work ethic in the room,” said coach Ted Lundgren. “A lot of times when you work hard you’re going to have some kind of match success.”
Wigen has moved up to 168 pounds in his quest to improve on last year’s state place. Fulkerson is working to return to 129 pounds.
Junior regional champion Brandon Marchand, back at 190 pounds, is Freeman’s other state veteran.
“He was in a car accident, but practiced a bit last Thursday and I anticipate him wrestling this week,” said Lundgren.
Other regional veterans are sophomore 122-pounder Buddy Robinson, senior 148-pounder Bill Morphy and senior 178-pounder Chris Hodl.
“Bill came off a very good football year and has taken a leadership role into the room,” said Lundgren. “Chris wrestled the best tournament for us last weekend.
Wrestlers back from last year are sophomore Marc Hildescheim, 108 pounds, juniors Matt Reeves, 135, Andy Duncan, 148, Travis Duncan, 158, and Adam Howard, 190.
Freshman Josh Newton gives Freeman a solid 101 pounder. Ian Cutler, 115, Mitchell Gray, 135, and Tyson Marchand, 141, are also part of Freeman’s freshman turnout. Sophomore Noah Cutler is also at 141.
Other freshman-sophomore prospects are Chris Grubb at 148, Alan Johnson, 158, Nathan Parker and Ryan Sprague, 168, Justin Henkins and Ben Lewis, 215.
Liberty wrestlers face dilemma
Liberty High, with eight returning starters, has a dilemma.
Right now, said third-year coach Ryan Murphy, the team is behind due to the school’s extended football season.
“We’ve got kids just getting eligible now,” he said.
And three of his most experienced wrestlers are bunched in the same weight class.
Mewhinney, who remains at 158 pounds and Conley, at 135 or 129, lead the team.
Chris Schuessler, a state alternate, will be at 122 or 129 and regional veteran Jason Marburger also is 129.
Other regional veterans are 148-pound Mitch Hogsett, 115-pound Meric Powell and 275-pound Frank Wynn.
Newcomers on the team are freshmen Kyle McGuire, 101, James Miller, 108, Jay Zielke, 115 and Brad Gates 122.
Junior Nate Leitz and freshman Nate Browning are at 168 pounds. Sophomore Matt Macias is at 178.
The Lancers have no 190- or 215-pound competitors.
“I think it will be between us, Ritzville and Davenport for the league title,” said Murphy of his Liberty team.