The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1432310
D-6 Winter Sports Preview Wednesday, November 24, 2021 The Press-Dispatch Wrestlers hope depth improves team By Andy Heuring Pike Central's wrestling team is hoping their team depth will lead to a lot more team wins this season. The Charger wrestlers return two regional qualifiers and a strong core group upon which to build. Jordan Froderman, who served as an assistant last year, has tak- en over as head coach. Forder- man, who wrestled in Greencas- tle and has helped out in youth wrestling programs and middle school wrestling for the last three to five years, is high on this year's Charger squad. "Last year, with COVID, we on- ly had about nine wrestlers. We are up to about 21 wrestlers this year," said Froderman. Because of their small numbers last year, they often gave up three or four forfeits, which made team wins difficult. "We are a very junior and fresh- men heavy team this year. Which is a good place to be building a program from," said Froderman. "I feel like the bulk of our team is underclassmen, but we have a good base with our junior class," said Froderman. "I know Coach (Caleb) Cherry was very happy with how last sea- son ended. Even with us going up three and four weight classes, we went just under .500," said Fro- derman. At the Chargers' core this year will be Cory Goeppner at 195 pounds and Cale Speedy at 182. Both qualified for the regional last year. Goeppner is returning this year at the same weight class. He placed in several offseason wres- tling tournaments over the spring and summer. "Corey is a well-rounded wres- tler, especially for the heavier weight classes. At 195 is the tip- ping off point between the heavy guys and a different style of wres- tling and a lighter guy. He can wrestle in both those styles. He can wrestle with someone who wrestles like a lighter weight or a heavier guy and be successful against them. "Speedy is a guy who grew from a kid who didn't win many matches to qualifying for the re- gional last year. His strength is he is always locked into the match. He has a game plan for what he is going to do," said Froderman. He stated he has two other wrestlers who he thinks would have qualified for the regional, but they were on COVID quar- antine last year and didn't get to participate in the sectional. Jon Cannon had a solid year last season, wrestling at 145 pounds. This year, he is bumping up to 182 pounds. Froderman said he has added lots of strength in the 40 -pound jump. "He still wrestles with all the speed he had at 145 pounds. He is probably one of the pound-for-pound toughest kids in the school," said Froderman. Jackson Stuckey is jumping up from 152, where he wrestled last year, to 160 pounds. "He is a very athletic wrestler, proba- bly one the of the top five fastest shooters I have seen. I've not see too many kids who shoot as fast as he does. He is one of two or three guys who can make a run in the semi-state and possibly the state," said Froderman. He added their lineup has some good freshmen, with Kylie Bak- er and Billy Like at 106 and 113. Also, they have Hayden Goins at heavyweight. "I'm super happy to get them, because the lightest and heaviest weight classes are the hardest to fill," said Froder- man. He is hoping they will not have to forfeit any weight class this year. Froderman also has a lot of help in assistant coaches this year with Jacob Sisk, John Thompson and Donald Wilson, as well as last year's coach, Caleb Cherry, vol- unteering. "I know Coach Cherry was very happy with how last season end- ed. We went just under .500 last year. Without us giving up three or four weight classes this year, I truly believe we can win in the range of 60 to 70 percent of our matches this year," said Froder- man. 812-354-8404 292 W. Main St. • Petersburg ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS Petersburg: Tues. & urs 8am-5pm Jasper: Mon. & Wed, 8am-5pm Fri., 7am-2pm Plus appointments by special arrangement. WALK-INS WELCOME Most insurances accepted. Adults & Children Good Luck! to all Pike Central SPORTS TEAMS! The 2021-2022 Pike Central wrestling team includes, front row (l to r): Grace Goodpaster, Kale Speedy, Skylar Shelton, Jackson Stuckey, Ryan Gladish Johnathan San- chez, Avery Smith, Riley Mosby, Justin Spinks, Griffin Boyd, Kylee Baker and Emily Sanchez; back row: Coach Jorden Froderman, Hayden Goins, Aidan McGiffen, Reming- ton Bottoms, Konner Simmons, Paul Thompson, Corey Goeppner, Jon Cannon, Coach Jake Sisk and Coach John Thompson. Not pictured are Jayden Bolin and Billy Like. Without us giving up three or four weight classes this year, I truly believe we can win in the range of 60 to 70 percent of our matches this year." – Coach Jordan Froderman Go Chargers! 245 S. Glezen Center St. • Petersburg, IN 812-354-9909 Glezen Revival Center for info, text/call 812-582-1523 Wednesdays 6:30-8 p.m. DEVO & OPEN GYM aGeS: 11-18