After a historic run to the state tournament during the 2008-09 season, the Murphysboro High School wrestling is preparing to start postseason action, which begins on Saturday when the Red Devils host an eight-team Class A Regional.
But this is not the same team that advanced to the Class A State Tournament last year.
"We're pretty much riddled with injuries,'' said Murphysboro coach Dan Baker. "We're going to wrestle some kids that are going to have to step up.
"We're missing a lot of starters. We'll just have to step up with who we've got, and they'll wrestle hard."
Two Red Devils who figure to advance as individuals are Jake Miller and Brad Sauer.
Miller, a senior, is 30-3 on the season wrestling mostly at 145 pounds. He won a state title as a freshman, and has third-place finishes at the state meet the past two seasons.
"I know the way Jake thinks,'' Baker said. "And he takes it one match at a time. He doesn't think too far ahead.
"A first and two thirds is a good career. But I know Jake has a goal and he's going to take it one match at a time to get there."
Sauer, who is also a senior, has a mark of 29-4 this season. He, along with Miller, have been highly ranked all year long.
"He's doing well,'' Baker said of Sauer, who competes in the 285-pound weight class.
Sauer and Miller both came home from the Litchfield tournament last week with championship medals.
The rest of the Red Devils that take to the mat are likely to be a bit inexperienced.
"We're just left with a lot of young, freshmen and sophomores, for Saturday,'' Baker said. "They're going to get experience.
"As long as they compete hard, that's all I care about."
All of Murphysboro's wrestlers will have their hands full, as the other seven teams in the regional are Anna-Jonesboro, Benton, Carterville, Herrin, Johnston City, Pinckneyville and West Frankfort.
"Benton and Herrin should be the favorites,'' Baker said. "But you never know. Anna-Jonesboro has a good team, and West Frankfort has good kids.
"There is a lot of parity. You should see champions from about everybody. It's a pretty good regional."
Action is set to begin on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Murphysboro High School. The championship round figures to start around 2 p.m.
|
|
|
After a historic run to the state tournament during the 2008-09 season, the Murphysboro High School wrestling is preparing to start postseason action, which begins on Saturday when the Red Devils host an eight-team Class A Regional.
But this is not the same team that advanced to the Class A State Tournament last year.
"We're pretty much riddled with injuries,'' said Murphysboro coach Dan Baker. "We're going to wrestle some kids that are going to have to step up.
"We're missing a lot of starters. We'll just have to step up with who we've got, and they'll wrestle hard."
Two Red Devils who figure to advance as individuals are Jake Miller and Brad Sauer.
Miller, a senior, is 30-3 on the season wrestling mostly at 145 pounds. He won a state title as a freshman, and has third-place finishes at the state meet the past two seasons.
"I know the way Jake thinks,'' Baker said. "And he takes it one match at a time. He doesn't think too far ahead.
"A first and two thirds is a good career. But I know Jake has a goal and he's going to take it one match at a time to get there."
Sauer, who is also a senior, has a mark of 29-4 this season. He, along with Miller, have been highly ranked all year long.
"He's doing well,'' Baker said of Sauer, who competes in the 285-pound weight class.
Sauer and Miller both came home from the Litchfield tournament last week with championship medals.
The rest of the Red Devils that take to the mat are likely to be a bit inexperienced.
"We're just left with a lot of young, freshmen and sophomores, for Saturday,'' Baker said. "They're going to get experience.
"As long as they compete hard, that's all I care about."
All of Murphysboro's wrestlers will have their hands full, as the other seven teams in the regional are Anna-Jonesboro, Benton, Carterville, Herrin, Johnston City, Pinckneyville and West Frankfort.
"Benton and Herrin should be the favorites,'' Baker said. "But you never know. Anna-Jonesboro has a good team, and West Frankfort has good kids.
"There is a lot of parity. You should see champions from about everybody. It's a pretty good regional."
Action is set to begin on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Murphysboro High School. The championship round figures to start around 2 p.m.
