HYDE – With 12 returning lettermen, the Bison wrestling team has set its expectations high for the upcoming season according to nine-year head coach Jeff Aveni.
\”We have a very experienced team and seasoned kids who know what it’s about,\” he said. \”We have 12 solid kids, and that experience is the biggest difference from last to this season.\”
He said the team was \”so young\” this time last year.
\”We had kids who wrestled but didn’t know what the varsity level was about,\” Aveni said.
He said last year’s team learned how to win dual meets and compete in tournaments, but he said his squad now is \”way ahead\” of where it was last year.
\”They already know how to prepare and win at this level. Right now, they’re ready to go out and compete,\” Aveni said.
His squad will return five seniors in Andrew Spicer, Holden Lowe, Shawn Hall, Michael Hill and state champion Sean Owen.
\”They all have two to three years of varsity experience under their belts. They know what it takes and lead in the room,\” Aveni said, adding that he probably has 10 kids whose team leadership stands out though.
He said his wrestlers have practiced well and worked hard, and that will result in wins on the mat.
\”We’ve had a lot of battles. They’re banging heads and pushing each other a lot,\” he said.
Although his seniors will lead the team, Aveni said his \”young guys\” who competed last season will be an important key as well.
According to him, sophomores Andrew Hill and Derek Danver have both improved and are wrestling well. He also said that juniors Kodie Lowder and Andre Buck will return to the line up, with hopes of duplicating their previous success.
\”They all had a great season last year and are now seasoned wrestlers. We expect them to come back with more wins this year. We expect more from them, and I think they expect more from themselves,\” he said.
Aveni said going down the line up, he has wrestlers who he believes will make a lot of noise and emerge this season. At the same time, he’s also uncertain who will, but hopes they all do.
He said his team looks forward to a successful season. He said his wrestlers not only have team goals, but have set some individually as well.
\”We have a number of guys who are hoping to get to the state tournament. But we have expectations at all levels,\” he said. \”Some have expectations to make it to states, some to regionals and some just to make the team.\”
But no one’s personal expectations will be larger than that of Owen, who finished last season 41-1, winning the state gold.
\”He had an outstanding season and achieved the highest goal in (high school) wrestling,\” Aveni said.
While Owen was near perfect last year, his head coach noted that he’s made a \”big improvement\” since March. He said Owen increased his size and strength in the off-season after giving up as much as 50 pounds to his opponents last year.
\”(Sean) has probably put on 15 to 20 pounds. He’s gotten bigger and believe it or not even stronger. He’s doing real well and has great partners in (Michael) Hill and Buck. He’s pushing the coaching staff. He’s big, strong and a handful,\” Aveni said.
He noted that they recently put Owen’s name on the state champion’s plaque in the team wrestling room.
\”Sean said, ‘we’ll be putting it up there again next year,\” he said.
Aveni doesn’t believe that Owen considers himself a state champion.
\”I think he’s put last year behind him. He doesn’t have to defend anything. No one can take it away from him,\” Aveni said.
He said Owen must forget that he’s working toward his second state title and plug away like it’s his first.
\”Sean is very hungry. If he keeps that mindset, he’s very capable of doing it again,\” Aveni said.
Overall, Aveni said the team has a lot of talent but must continue to work hard and stay focused.
\”We have to go out and wrestle each match. No one gives you anything,\” he said.
\”But we have the potential to be a very good team.\”
Editor\’s note: Visit the Clearfield Wrestling Web site for a complete season schedule, roster and additional information.
