Freeman Has High Hopes As Nine Return

Freeman wrestling coach Ted Lundgren admitts he’s been spoiled.

“The last two years we’ve graduated so many good quality kids, we’re down a bit,” he said.

Five seniors graduated, two of them state veterans.

But, lest Lundgren protest too much, the Scotties return nine from last year’s Northeast A League title contender and district third-place team.

Included are a pair of state qualifiers - sixth-placer Josh Newton and Nathan Parker. Both are juniors.

“They are solid,” Lundgren said.

It is true that Freeman’s wrestling team this year is young.

Marc Hildescheim and Noah Cutler are the lone seniors. Hildescheim, in his fourth season with Freeman, won a state academic award last year for the highest grade point in his weight class.

“We’re trying to promote that,” said Lundgren.

As for wrestling, “He’s grown to 130 pounds and is pretty physical, too,” said Freeman’s coach.

Cutler returns to the lineup after a year away because of injury, joining Tyson Marchand, fourth in district, to make 152 pounds a strong weight.

Beyond that, the team is heavily loaded with sophomores and freshmen.

“It was exciting to see the seniors go through. Now we have to replace them,” said Lundgren. “The youngsters are doing a good job, but they’re not what we graduated.”