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Iola High School kids and for our high 2011-2012 JV Wrestling Schedule school kids to encourDec. 10 — Coffeyville Invitational age the guys. We expect Dec. 17 — Cherryvale Invitational Jan. 7 — Independence Invitational him to come back as a Jan. 14 — Labette County Invitasenior and have an outtional standing season,” SweaJan. 28 — Fort Scott Invitational zy said. Feb. 11 — Burlington Invitational McDonald led the team in wins and pins last year at 189 with a 32-19 mark. The Mustangs are depending on three returning seniors who have been a part of the Iola wrestling program from the beginning. Devin Culler, Brant Clark and Zack Vaughn lead the Mustangs and senior Denton Christian has returned after a year off. New to the program is senior Rocky Smith. Also back for Iola are juniors Zeph Larney, Kody Mullins, Joe Myrick and Chase Roettgen along with sophomores Cody Conner, Bryce Misenhelter, Travis Rieske and Triston Sigfusson. The Mustangs have juniors Justin Baker and Raymond Brandstetter back out for wrestling after taking some time off. Sagel Hensley is a transfer student from Paola. Sweazy said Hensley gives Iola experience at the 145-pound weight class. Hensley wrestled at Paola High School. “The problem we have is we’re short in the light weights and the heavier weights and have a log-jam in the middle weights,” Sweazy said. “We’ve got a couple of new freshmen who could develop into solid lower weight competitors.” Clark and Culler are seniors who “just keep coming at you” in practice and Sweazy hopes they show the same during matches. Culler is expected to wrestle at 160 and led the team last year with 45 escapes. Clark goes at 132. Vaughn, Mullins and Roettgen are at the 170-pound weight. Christian is expected to wrestle at 195 for the Mustangs. Sweazy said Christian has experience on the mat but his conditioning is suspect right now. Vaughn has been in the weight room “but with Zack it’s a matter of confidence and he has said he wants to do ‘something special’ this season,” Sweazy said. Larney, Conner and Rieske are all slotted for the 138-pound class and all are working hard in practices. Conner, who wrestled at 125 last year, led the team in two-point near falls with nine. Myrick is coming off a knee injury that sidelined him for most of last year. He won’t be eligible until the second semester but is expected to see action at 152. Baker shows promise at 132 pounds. Misenhelter, who was the team’s leader in reversals with 26 as a freshman, is looking strong at 160-pounds again. Whitworth, who wrestled in middle school, is showing strong at 152 pounds and first-year sophomore Jacob Rhoads is learning the sport quickly, according to Sweazy, to help the Mustangs at 145. Freshman Trey Colborn has wrestling experience and gives Iola a heavy weight — either at 220 or 285. Freshmen Jordan Long and Kaleb Mock come out of the IMS program as well. “We’re on a learning curve for me and for the guys. Our team is excited about hosting a season-opener on Dec. 1,” Sweazy said. Iola hosts Eureka and Anderson County Thursday at IHS.
The Iola Register Winter Sports Special
The Iola Register Winter Sports Special
H Mustangs Continued from page 6
hand injury is 6-1 senior forward Drew Walden. Iola is also expecting four sophomores — 5-8 guard Trent Latta, 6-foot guardforward Tyler McIntosh, 6-1 guard-forward Adam Kauth and 6-1 forward Tyler Powelson
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Chancy’s
— to work into vying for varsity playing time. “Having the experience back is a big benefit to our team as we work to improve. Overall, this team has good athleticism and should be able to make up for being undersized with quickness and athletic ability,” Peeper said. Defense is also a big factor for the Mustangs. Peeper said his team has the ability to put a lot pressure on people, using its quickness. The Mustangs had 128 steals as a team last year. The Mustangs rely on man-to-man defense and last year defense was one of the most consistent parts of the Iola game. Peeper said the Mustangs have been working on zone defense to help keep opponents from controlling the lane. “We want to use our defense to help create offensive opportunities in transition. We’ve been working on pushing things up the court to create more open floor opportunities,” Peeper said. “Last year, we had a lot of games that tended to be grind-it-out games and we didn’t do well in those.” Iola broke a 17-game losing streak in January but didn’t win another the rest of the season. The Mustangs were 0-8 in Southeast Kansas League play last year. In their final season in the SEK, the Mustangs are looking to have a better showing before taking off for the Pioneer League next year. The Mustangs were picked to finish eighth in the SEK this year by a preseason poll. “The effort and attitude of these kids have been great coming into the season. Another encouraging part of the season is the numbers. We have 34 guys out this season,” Peeper said. Iola opens the season at home Friday against Osawatomie, which is from the Pioneer League. Next week, the Mustangs are in an early-season tournament hosted by Louisburg High School.
rill & Sha k’s G ke Kir Jct. 54 and 59 Hwy Moran (620) 237-4534 Chancy’s, we’re more than a restaurant, we’re family!
Great food, a friendly game of pool and cheering Wildcat athletes on to victory. • Wide variety of sandwiches including the “Jackman Burger” and Grilled Chicken • Fish Dinner • Taco Salad • Ice Cream • Malts • Shakes • Sundaes • Several Kid’s Dinner Choices
West side Iola square — (620) 365-5912
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East Side Iola Square • (620) 365-5723 www.duanesflowers.com
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Open 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday thru Thursday, 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday & 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Stub’s Market Our Best To You For A Great Season of Basketball & Wrestling!
Best Wishes To Our MVHS Wildcat Athletes!
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Hats off to our Moran Teams! Hope your seasons are great!
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