Strong lineup returns for Rockets
Jefferson-Morgan is eager to start the 2011-2012 campaign after only two starters graduated from last year’s team.
The Rockets made it to the team quarterfinals last season, losing to Kittanning, and two returners that made it to states and four regional qualifiers.
Quincy Hathaway and Tyler Perkins have graduated after putting together solid careers at J-M.
“They were two very solid wrestlers, but we have a nice group returning,” fourth-year head coach Scott Rhodes said. “We set our goals to advance farther in the team tournament and have more than two guys qualify for states.”
Senior Joe Phillips and junior Dustin Conti are the two state qualifiers, while senior Brian Rush and sophomores John Demaske, Ryan Miller and Ryan Zalar make up a strong trio in the lighter weights.
“Our guys have been working extremely hard in the offseason,” Rhodes said. “Wrestling is very big at Jefferson-Morgan and guys always want to wrestle. If they are not involved in another sport, they are wrestling in clubs along with lifting and conditioning. We have a very nice facility that is open to the public.”
This upcoming season sets up the first significant weight changes since the 1980’s with the lightest weight beginning at 106. In the heavier weights, 195 and 220 was added while 285 remains the heaviest weight.
“We will benefit from the weight changes,” Rhodes said. “We have more big guys now than I can remember. It will be good for us. We had wrestle-offs today and the guys really went at it. We have a lot of competition for spots. I’m very impressed with how many wrestles the school produces. We only graduate in the 50’s.”
Since the weight certification plan was put in during the 2007 season, Rhodes has done his best to make sure that all his wrestlers know what weight they want to wrestle at and what they have to do to be prepared to stay at that weight.
“There is a science to it,” Rhodes said referring to the weight management program. “I really do my best to help the kids with it. I don’t want them to have their season messed up because of it.”
The Rockets begin the season on Dec. 9-10 at the Gateway tournament and are also looking forward to the Southmoreland Holiday Christmas tournament, which J-M won last season. The Rockets also compete in the Tri-County tournament.
“We want to win our section and go as far as we can in the team tournament, but you never know what will happen,” Rhodes said. “We are excited because we have a lot of guys coming back and some strong guys coming in, but it’s a long season.”