WOODWARD — Sixth-year head coach Dave Smeltzer is finding it hard to contain his enthusiasm for the upcoming wrestling season at Woodward-Granger.
“We have 28 guys out and will be able to fill every weight class, which is something a lot of smaller teams, even in Class 2A (where W-G is listed), can’t do,” he said. “But that is just the tip of it, because this may be the hardest working group I have seen since I came on board here back in 2008.”
“Of course, talent and skill are extremely important, but like I tell the team: A guy with less talent who works hard will beat the talented kid with the lazy attitude,” Smeltzer added. “I know I work our guys extremely hard, but I am still amazed at the drive — it is off the charts. We have some young guys and there are going to be times when we take out lickings, but no one will out-hustle us, I can guarantee you that.”
Any discussion of Hawk wrestling must begin with senior standout Tanner Vermaas, who enters the season ranked fourth at 182-pounds. Vermaas was a state qualifier last year and finished 50-9. His 110 wins trails only Jack Manning’s 124 for the most in school history, and surpassing the gold standard of 150 career wins is, barring misfortune, easily within reach.
“Tanner lost twice at state, and four close times to the 1A champ (Ogden’s Austin Lentz),” Smeltzer said. “He is as driven and as motivated as they come, and I wouldn’t want to be in his way. I think a very special season is in store for him and it is going to fun watching it happen.”
Vermaas is the only senior starter returning for the Hawks, with five juniors currently taking staring spots.
Hunter Pierce will go at 106 pounds and Tae Calderon at 138, with Cole Carmen at 145, Austin Scharlau at 152 and Devan Kirkman at 170.
“Hunter is in a tough (weight class), but he is tall and has reach and can use that to his advantage,” Smeltzer said. “Devan is ripped and ready to go at 170 and I think he can do some real damage, and I am very excited by Austin dropping down from 160 to 152 — he is poised to beat a whole lot of people.”
Sophomore Dillon Lewiston and freshman Tate Lettow have earned the nods at 113 and 120, respectively, with sophomore Colt Palmer at 126 and frosh Jay Dorenkamp at 132 while sophomore Gabe Yingst will go at 160.
“A lot of these younger guys, it will be a matter of how quickly they adapt to varsity wrestling,” Smeltzer said. “All of them have promise, is just a matter of a learning curve and a positive approach.”
A pair of Madrid freshmen will handle 195 and 220, with freshman Cody Fisher — a two-time AAU champion — at the former weight while Tyler Lorenzen handles the latter.
“Cody could be a beast, we will just have to wait and see,” Smeltzer said. “He has the tools, he just need varsity experience. I also like what Tyler brings at 220 and what Alex Kirton could give us at heavyweight.”
“This team is not going to blow people away, but we are going to surprise more than a few,” he added. “I like our position when it comes to the conference (West Central) and like how we look so far. We will take a few lumps, especially early in the season, but we are going to learn from them. By the end of the season I think we could have more than a few guys the other guys won’t want to wrestle.”
W-G start their season tonight at Colfax-Mingo before hosting the Dennis Field Invitational Saturday at 9 a.m. The rest of the December schedule includes a home date with Montezuma, Ogden and Perry Dec. 6 and a visit to the Ogden Duals Dec. 10 before a triangular at Bondurant-Farrar Dec. 15.
The Hawks will host the WCC tournament Dec. 17 and conclude the pre-holiday portion of their schedule by visiting Des Moines Roosevelt Dec. 22, with DM Lincoln and Iowa City West also slated to attend.
