Dragons lean on seniors
The wrestling team is having one of the best seasons in program history.
For Pepperell Wrestling coach Joe Knight, it all begins with his three seniors. But as the area traditional tournament gets closer, he hopes a few more wrestlers can peak at the right time.
The Dragons are experiencing one of the best seasons in program history, with an Area 3-AA title and a fourth-place finish at the Class AA State Duals. But traditional meets are a different experience, and he hopes his team can adjust.
“It turns into a different sport when we move to traditional. It is no longer Pepperell versus the world, it’s you versus the world,” Knight said. “But you still need the same work ethic, and I hope our guys can concentrate on that.”
The wrestlers Knight has the most confidence in are the aforementioned seniors — Jaxon Croy, Hinton Bollinger and Jake Ross. The trio was the driving force in Pepperell’s run through duals season and each expects to perform well at the Area 3-AA traditional tournament this weekend.
The three were part of the group of five Pepperell wrestlers who qualified for state last season. Bollinger finished fourth at 285 pounds, while Croy (126) and Ross (160) lost their opening match and finished outside the top five.
And while the season becomes more of an individual sport, there is still work needed to be done in practice.
And those practices become easier when the coaches don’t have to worry about their veterans.
“It’s good to have a core group of guys you don’t have to worry about,” Knight said. “It allows (assistant) coach (Austin) Sanders and I to work with the other wrestlers and watch them progress. And those seniors are right there to help us.”
The Dragons expect to have some good results for their younger guys this weekend. Some of that was seen at the Darlington Classic this past weekend, where Isaiah Bevels took third place at 120 pounds and Jack Bennett finished third at 182 pounds.
Pepperell’s area’s traditional tournament will be held at Armuchee, and the Dragons are expecting to take on plenty of difficult competition. All Knight can hope is his guys stick with the same mentality they have had all season.
“Even the best can get beat, and it is all about how you respond,” Knight said. “Perseverance is something you can always learn from a leader, and it is what our leaders are always demonstrating.”