Colonials’ Dupont eager about upcoming season
It seems like Albert Gallatin wrestling coach Duane Dupont is more excited than his kids to start the 2010-11 wrestling season. The Colonials will have one of the most experienced teams in Section 2-AAA and figure to be a strong contender for a section title. The Colonials came up a little short, and did not send any wrestlers to Hershey last year. Dupont feels with a senior dominated squad that should change this year.
“I have a lot of seniors this year. As a matter of fact I have four guys that have started since they were freshmen,” he said. “Tyler Haines, Jacob Lowry, P.J. Palmer and Chris Milligan have been leaders in this program for four years now.”
Looking at the lineup, Lowery will go at 171; Haines (160), Palmer (152) and Milligan (145) should pile up a lot of points for the Colonials.
Milligan, in particular, had a strong finish last year winning the section title and finishing fourth in the WPIAL and just missed a trip to Hershey. Palmer and Lowry were also WPIAL qualifiers, with Palmer winning a section title and Lowry finishing second.
“I felt Chris really turned the corner by winning a section title,” Dupont said. “He did real well at the WPIAL tournament. He missed a trip to the state tournament by one point. Palmer was real close also by advancing to the semifinals of the WPIAL tournament. I think the experience will make those guys even hungrier this year.”
Dupont says he has seen more dedication to become better. He says the kids realize it takes more than two hours in the wrestling room.
“Our pre-season workouts have been tremendous. Those four seniors have done a great job of conditioning themselves coming into the season.”
He says Haines and Lowry have done a great job of improving their overall strength by moving up a couple of weight classes.
Other seniors on the team include, Dave Skiles (135-140), Mike Friend (140-145), Terry Williamson (215-285) and Daris Alum (189-215).
One blow to the Colonials will be the loss of junior light heavyweight John Phillips due to injury. He finished second in the section last year and was expected to be one of the top wrestlers in his weight class this season.
Dupont is happy to have a little depth at the varsity level with 25 kids battling for roster spots. That includes about ten freshmen. Once they sort things out on the mat, about five will be sent back to the middle school to get more mat time.
Juniors returning for the Colonials are regional qualifier, Schuyler Moncheck (130-135), and two-year starter, Brady Howell (119). Both are expected to do very well this year. Junior William Walters will be at 160.
Helping Dupont prepare the Colonials are former AG wrestlers, Jon Bittinger and Dan Karpency. Long time assistant John Kochis will volunteer.
Dupont says the Colonials work hard to improve their schedule as they will open the season at the Chartiers-Houston tournament, and will also be part of the Powerade field, in addition to a tough section schedule.
“Every year we face Connellsville and Hempfield. They are ranked in the top five in the WPIAL almost every year,” he said. “We’re expecting our guys to compete hard every match and not give up and good things will happen to the guys who put the time and effort in. I think we have a good mix of experience and youth that are working hard. Hopefully, the sky’s the limit for them.”