Addison Independent, Thursday, December 15, 2016 — PAGE 3C
MIDDLEBURY
MUHS
UNION
Wrestling
By ANDY KIRKALDY MIDDLEBURY — Graduation hit the Middlebury Union wrestling team hard, as among those who picked up a diploma this past spring were a state champion, a secondplace finisher at the state meet who won more matches than any other wrestler in the program’s history, and a third-place finisher who earned his 100th win this past winter. Along with other graduates, Coach Ethan Raymond was left with nine athletes in the varsity program, including four freshmen. Given the lack of experience and also believing at times a year ago his wrestlers made avoidable mistakes, Raymond adopted a back-to-basic approach this winter, one that he said he could see paying off in preseason scrimmages. “I’m really stressing the fundamentals, simple basic wrestling and making sure everything is perfect,” Raymond said. “I tell them the difference between a champion and a good wrestler is the little subtleties, making sure everything is perfect and that you’re never out of stance and that they’re focusing on the details.”
He expects that approach to pay off in the long run for his four freshmen, Michael Whitley, who will wrestle at 106 pounds; Alex Walker at 120; Louis Bergevin at 132; and James Thorpe, who will settle in at either 182 or 195. There is one more newcomer, junior Jaro Perera, who will compete at 220. Raymond said he lacks experience, but could surprise. “He’s really athletic and strong,” Raymond said. “If he continues to grow at the pace he’s growing now he’s going to have a great year.” Raymond is optimistic all four of his returners could battle their way onto the podium at this year’s state meet, which Vergennes Union will host. Junior Dustin Davio has been there before: He finished sixth at 132 last winter and will wrestle at 138 this time around. Raymond sees greater drive and maturity this season — and foresees a higher podium step. “He’s my top returner. I’m looking for quite a bit from him,” he said. “I’m hoping for a top-three finish for him.” Junior Joe Whitley will wrestle at 152 after winning two bouts at the
Middlebury Union High School Varsity Wrestling 1/14 @ Essex Classic 10 a.m. Date Opponent/Event Time 1/26 CVU; Harwood @ 12/14 Champlain Valley; Mt. Mansfield; Mt. Mansfield 6 p.m. Lake Region 6 p.m. 1/28 @ Corinth Invitational 12/17 @ Granville Lions Invitational TBD Corinth N.Y. TBD 12/20 Randolph Union; Milton 1/31 Spaulding; Randolph Union @ Spaulding 6 p.m. @ Milton 6 p.m. 12/22 Bellows Falls; Keene 2/4 Franklin Two Rivers Tournament TBD @ Bellows Falls 6 p.m. 2/8 Milton; Vergennes @ Mt. Abe. 7 p.m. 12/28 Hubie Wagner Invitational 12 p.m. 2/11 NVAC Champs @ CVU TBD 12/29 Hubie Wagner Invitational 9 a.m. 2/24 State Champs @ Vergennes TBD 1/3 Vergennes; Lake Region Union 2/25 State Champs @ Vergennes TBD @ Mt. Abraham 7 p.m. 3/4 New England Champs 1/6 Peru Invitational @ Peru N.Y. 5 p.m. @ Providence R.I. TBD 1/7 Peru Invitational @ Peru N.Y. 10 a.m. 3/5 New England Champs @ 1/11 Essex; St. Johnsbury; Harwood 6 p.m. Providence R.I. TBD 1/13 @ Essex Classic 5 p.m.
MUHS
state meet this past winter. Raymond sees an improved grappler. “He’s always had the physical strength and natural instinct, but he always struggled with the bigger picture, how to connect moves. And he came in and he’s really starting to chain-wrestle, put things together on the mat,” he said. Senior heavyweight Joe Langevin showed up 25 pounds lighter, Raymond said, but “quite a bit stronger” after hitting the weight room. “He’s quick. He’s out-maneuvering a lot of the heavyweights,” Raymond said. Finally, Raymond said sophomore Justin Jackson is beginning, like Whitley, to learn to put his moves together at 126. “Jackson is really coming into it,” he said. “He’s really athletic and smooth-moving now.” And in the preseason, Raymond said the Tigers appeared to be willing to pay the price to win matches down the road. “Like I tell them, the great thing about wrestling is anyone can have success. It depends on their attitude and how hard they work,” he said. “And so far I’ve been super impressed. They’ve all come in and they’ve all pushed themselves extremely hard.” MUHS Varsity Wrestling Coach: Ethan Raymond Name Grade Joe Langevin 12 Dustin Davio 11 Jaro Perera 11 Joe Whitley 11 Justin Jackson 10 Louis Bergevin 9 James Thorpe 9 Alex Walker 9 Michael Whitley 9
Dance
Middlebury Union High School Varsity Dance Coaches: Caitlin Hurteau, Megan Hotte Shelby Monica Name Grade Hannah Williams Brittany Baker 12 Josie Abbott Dace Eaton 12 Sarah Broughton Marissa Freegard-Rougier 12 Bethany Palmer Anne Garner 12 Suzanne Klemmer
12 12 11 11 11 11
Middlebury Union High School Varsity Dance Team Date Opponent/Event Time 1/7 @ Colchester 1 p.m. 1/14 @ Mt. Mansfield 1 p.m. 1/28 @ South Burlington 1 p.m. 2/11 NVAC @ BFA St. Albans 1 p.m. 2/20 States @ Vergennes Noon
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