Oxford Varsity Wrestling Coach Scott Couch doesn’t want to talk about how this is going to be a rebuilding year for the program.
‘It’s not a rebuilding year, its more of a reloading year,? said Couch. ‘There are some things that we have to put back together and just shift some people around.?
The team graduated ten seniors from last years team that statistically was one of the best in school history. They finished 37-3 (school record), won the Flint Metro League, districts and regionals, were team state runner-ups and produced four individual state placers, Mike Myer, AJ Logan, Matt Frisch and Dylan Smith, who was the Division Two Heavyweight State Champion.
Couch is looking towards his captains Logan and Frisch, along with other seniors on the team to help pave the way for another run at a state title.
‘There are seven to eight seniors on the squad that have been around for a long time and have been wrestling for a long time, so we are going to look to them for our leadership,? Couch said.
Some of the state qualifiers from last year’s team are back with the program, which provides even more experience for the squad.
One of the keys this season will be the infusion of the underclassmen into the starting lineup. They have been patiently waiting their turn because of the talent in front of them.
‘It’s going to be those underclassmen who are going to step up and fill in those spaces and maybe it’s people no one has ever heard of or seen before because they couldn’t get into our lineup, which doesn’t mean they aren’t ready, but they couldn’t beat the guy in front of them,? Couch said.
‘We’re going to have some guys that no one knows about that are going to do some good things,? said Couch.
Even with all the talent that is coming back, the road to the state title is going to be tougher because the Wildcat’s moved up into division one from division two this year. But, according to Coach Couch, the move is one that is just on paper.
‘It’s just basically a move on paper. We’ve been wrestling division one schools ever since I have been around,? said Couch. ‘It’s going to be a little different road for the state tournament and things like that.?
Couch said that one of the goals for the season is to get back to the state tournament, and once they get there, ‘make some noise.?
‘We’re coming into D1 and its a matter of us stepping up and meeting that challenge,? he said.
The Wildcats schedule is tough right from the beginning, with a home opener dual meet against Lake Orion and L’Anse Creuse North on Dec. 2.
According to Couch, the opening meet against Lake Orion will feature two of the ranked teams not only in division one, but in the state.
Last year the team finished 9-0 in the FML regular season and set the league record with 248.5 points during the league meet. Couch said that this years competition is going to be tough as nails.
‘It’s great competition for us. It’s always going to be tough. Holly is going to be tough, Linden is in there…it’s the Flint Metro League, its going to be tough. It’s tough as nails, there’s definitely some (good) teams and there’s no runaways out there. Everything has to fall into place,? he said.