second season

By Rod Haxton, editor

Powerhouse SC has six state-ranked grapplers

Having put together a solid 10-4 dual record prior to the Christmas break, the Scott Community High School wrestling team has established itself as a powerhouse in head-to-head competition.

Now they can turn their attention to a different tournament format starting with the always rugged Norton Invitational this weekend.

Joining the Beavers, who are currently ranked No. 5 in Class 4A, will be three state-ranked teams from Class 3-2-1A - Norton (No. 1), Oakley (No. 3) and Smith Center (No. 5).

SCHS also has six grapplers ranked among the top six in their respective weight divisions - Clay Mulligan (103, No. 2), Paco Antillon (119, No. 4), Dillon Stucky (140, No. 4), Dakota Hayes (145, No. 3), Morgan Numrich (152, No. 6) and Luke Hayes (189, No. 4).

All are seniors, with the exception of Mulligan and L. Hayes, who are sophomores.

However, they’ve also seen strong early-season performances from freshman Alex Kough (112, 10-6) and former state qualifier Calvin Erven (12-4), a 215-pound senior.

Scott City’s experience should make them a pretty formidable group during a tough tournament stretch that begins with Norton and includes Lexington and Garden City during the next month.

“This is the most seniors we’ve had in quite a few years,” says head coach Jon Lippelmann. “When that happens you expect to be pretty strong in some weights, but we have some young kids who are learning their way and who we are expecting some pretty good things from.”

The team is hoping to pick up some added depth with the addition of junior Dalton Paul to the post-Christmas roster. He will compete with Manny Carrillo for the 152-pound spot.

Dropping into the 171-pound division just before Christmas was senior Matt Clinton.

“This is pretty much what our team will look like the rest of the season,” said Lippelmann after their second place finish in the Holiday Classic at Goodland just before the Christmas break.

While the team figures to be very strong in 6-8 weight classes, Lippelmann is hopeful of continued improvement in the other weight divisions.

“Our inexperienced boys have a tendency to turn to their backs and give up big points. That’s cost us in a couple of dual losses,” Lippelmann says.

As for the transition from dual to medal tournaments, Lippelmann doesn’t feel that one favors his squad over the other.

“We should be in contention regardless of the format,” he says. “I’m confident enough in these boys to think that we can win any tournament and any dual.”