FREMONT – In most sports an individual’s success – and the enjoyment thereof – is limited if the team’s success isn’t there.
In wrestling, however, even if a team can’t keep up with an opponent top-to-bottom, the individual wrestler can still thrive and succeed.
Jackson Weissinger rises to his feet moments after pinning Edison’s Griffin Soviak. Above: Ryan Weaver has his hand raised following a pin of Edison’s Garrett Scott.
Fremont Ross wrestling coach Chad Hetrick and his staff are preaching that message to the Little Giants in the early going this season. In Saturday’s season-opening tournament at Aurora and again Wednesday night when Ross hosted Edison in a dual match, the Little Giants entered the competition shorthanded from a team standpoint. Hosting the Chargers, the Little Giants have to forfeit five weight classes, giving up 30 points off the bat leading to a 49-24 defeat.
“We have to keep the kids focused on what they’re in the sport for,” Hetrick said. “In reality, yeah, it’s a team sport in all aspects, but we’re shooting for individual goals also, and we’re keeping them focused on their individual goals.
“We have some injuries we’re going to get back next week and some weight issues that will hopefully come around next week to help fill out the lineup,” he added. “Hopefully the next couple weeks everything will come around and we can come close to a full lineup.”
The Little Giants won four weight classes, three coming by pins in the first period. Ryan Weaver won at 138 pounds, Jackson Weissinger won at 160 and Caleb Wood pinned his opponent at 220 in just 18 seconds.
Ross’ Keaton Jordan wrestles Edison’s Shadrick Slone Wednesday night.
“Ryan Weaver, he’s stepping up,” Hetrick said. “He’s an underclassman filling in for Charles Chapman right now and doing a real good job. He’s working his butt off in the practice room and coming around real good.
“Jackson and Caleb Wood pretty much push themselves in practice, they’re good workers,” he added. “They have that killer instinct where they want to win, and they know they’re expected to win.”
Brandon Garcia won by forfeit at 182 pounds for Ross’ other victory.
Of Edison’s five non-forfeit victories, two were by slim decisions, Keaton Jordan lost 5-4 at 152 and heavyweight Mike Thomas lost in overtime.
From a team-perspective, Hetrick said the Little Giants have to be stronger and have more stamina when their opponents are on top.
Caleb Wood pins Edison’s Jackson Berardi Wednesday night in just 18 seconds.
“We need more movement on bottom, we’re kind of stale on bottom,” he said. “We lost a few close matches just on a couple kids being out of shape. We have to work harder on conditioning, it probably would have made the team score a little closer than it was. Overall, our bottom is our weak point and we need to work on our bottom moves and get out from bottom.”
The Ross wrestlers have two weeks before their next meet, coming Dec. 19 at Sandusky against the Blue Streaks, Sandusky Perkins and Ashland.
Edison 49, Fremont Ross 24
106 – Alec Homan (E) def. David Boda by pin
113 – Jarod Fantauzzi (E) win by forfeit
120 – Cole Weilnau (E) win by forfeit
126 – Casey Barnett (E) def. Carter Smith, 13-2
132 – Raymond Adams (E) def. Bryce Moreland by pin
138 – Ryan Weaver (FR) def. Garrett Scott by pin
145 – Jordan Keegan (E) win by forfeit
152 – Shadrick Slone (E) def. Keaton Jordan, 5-4
160 – Jackson Weissinger (FR) def. Griffin Soviak by pin
170 – Walker Cisco (E) win by forfeit
182 – Brandon Garcia (FR) win by forfeit
195 – Jacob Thompson (E) win by forfeit
220 – Caleb Wood (FR) def. Jackson Berardi by pin
Heavyweight – Carson Holmes (E) def. Mike Thomas 8-6 (OT)