WOODWARD — The Woodward-Granger wrestling team opens their season tonight at South Hamilton, and head coach Dave Smeltzer said his squad has the opportunity to have “the kind of season we all want to have.”
The Hawks are led by senior 220-pound state champion Cody Fisher, the 10th ranked prep at his weight nationally. Fisher is 146-10 in three years, with a pair of 195-pound runner-up finishes to go with a 44-1 mark and state title last winter.
“We can run out of words trying to describe him,” Smeltzer said of the Iowa State University bound standout. “He just calmly goes out there and dominates. You can see it in the eyes of his opponents — they are in trouble and they know it. One of his strengths is that he takes no one lightly. He has too much on the line, has too much he wants to achieve.”
Heavyweight senior Tyler Lawrenson was 37-9 last year and also reached the state meet, but will be out for several weeks as he finishes recovering from an injury.
The remainder of the lineup will be looking to join the two bruisers in competing on the big stage.
“We have some learning to do in some spots, but with our work ethic and willingness to learn we should be much better come February than we are now,” Smeltzer said. “It is just a matter of being patient, learning as we go, and then putting those lessons to good use.”
The coach presented a tentative lineup, noting there could always be last minute changes.
For now freshman Payton Nixon will go at 106 pounds, with sophomores Joel Harney, Corbyn Atwell and Tjaden Smeltzer at 113, 120 and 126, respectively.
Senior Matthew White (132), freshman Jayden Flugge-Smith (138) and senior Jay Dorenkamp (145) have also earned spots on the varsity mat, as have sophomore Dustin Harney (152) and junior Jon McKeever (160).
Senior Cale Pritchett (170) and juniors Kade Polich (182) and Devan Brown (195) complete the list.
“The guys are keyed up and ready to go,” Smeltzer said. “It always seems like forever before the season starts, and then suddenly it is here. We expect to be ready.”
