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Gallatin varsity wrestlers are hoping hard work in the off season will pay off this year in both team and individual success.
"I am excited about this season due to the hard work the wrestlers have put in so far," said Coach Phillip Limb. "Many of the wrestlers put in work in the off season with our summer camp, which I feel will pay off," he added. "The team has a goal this season of winning a conference championship and getting at least four boys to state."
Leading the Bulldogs this season are 2007 state medalist Levi Michener and last-season state qualifier Terrill Wood, both seniors.
"The seniors have proven to be hard workers thus far and have shown positive leadership to the younger wrestlers," Coach Limb said.
Limb has seen huge gains from a season ago by Nick Lagodny, Bradley Jones, Jordan Phelps and Ryan Hicks. Junior Matt Adkison and sophomore Brandon Ness have gotten stronger and more experienced.
"They were close to making it to state last year and they have set a goal of going this year," said Limb. "We have been impressed with the improvement of sophomores Brendon Cosgrove and Sterling Steele, as well," he added. "We have a good group of freshmen as well, with Justin Taul and Peter Steele having the most experience of the bunch, and they have set goals of making it to state."
Current weights for Bulldog wrestlers are: Justin Taul,103; Peter Steele and John Macy, 112; Sterling Steele, 119; Terrill Wood, 125; Levi Michener, 130; Jordan Jeffers, 135; Bo Malo and Mitchell Lewis, 140; Brandon Ness, Joey Flanders and Greg Parton, 145; Matt Atkinson and Shadow Phillips, 152; Brendon Cosgrove, 160; Tyler Brackett, 171; Jordan Phelps and Dylan Leeper, 189; Bradley Jones, Ryan Hicks, Myrick McLey and Hayden Bott, 215; and Nick Lagodny, 285.
In a 54-24 loss to Marceline last Thursday, Phelps, Jones and Lagodny earned victories over Tiger opponents. Sterling Steele was a forfeit winner. McLey won an exhibition match, as well.
Gallatin lost to Trenton, 48-24, in dual varsity action Tuesday night. Sterling Steele won a 5-3 decision in his match. Bo Malo pinned his opponent, Jordan Phelps won a close, 15-13 decision, and Nick Lagodny pinned his heavyweight opponent. Matt Atkinson was forfeit winner for Gallatin.
"Overall, we could tell that their boys have wrestled in a tournament already," said Coach Limb, "as we were tired in the later periods. This was one of the wilder duals I have been involved in as several matches were high scoring and could have gone either way," he added.
Gallatin jayvee wrestlers competed in a junior varsity tournament at St. Joe Central over the weekend. Jordan Jeffers placed second in the 135-pound class (2-1). Shadow Phillips won all three matches to take first in the 145-pound class, as did Dylan Leeper in the 189-pound class. Myrick McLey finished 2-1 and second place in the 215-pound class. Mitchell Lewis also won one match in the 140-pound class.