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SM wrestlers to open season with home tri-match Tuesday
Smoky Mountain’s wrest-ling team will open its season at home Tuesday, Nov. 13, against Asheville School and Murphy.
Action will begin at 5 p.m.
With the football and soccer teams both involved in state playoffs, Coach Chuck Beane hasn’t had several of his likely wrestlers at practice.
“Good for them that they’re all still playing,” he said Friday. “We’re missing about half our team between soccer and football.”
The soccer season ended Saturday and the football playoffs will get under way Friday.
Of the 21 wrestlers out for the first week of practice, 10 are returnees and 11 are newcomers. However, Beane noted that not all of the newcomers are freshmen.
“All we’re really doing is conditioning,” the coach said. “We’re trying to get them in shape. You can’t start practice until two weeks before your first match. If the kids haven’t taken it on themselves, it’s not enough time to get in shape.”
Beane is still looking for some wrestlers to fill lightweight slots in the 125-pound division and under. He encouraged potential lightweights to join the team saying that no experience was necessary and they could have “on the job training.”
Practices are held from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at the school’s wrestling room. Everyone must have a current physical before starting practice.
“I feel pretty good about the season,” Beane said. “You don’t know until you see who steps up. The seniors I have are stepping up and being responsible. I think we’ve got a good group of senior leaders to build on.”
Cory Vickery and Michael Taylor are the only two returning seniors not involved in football or soccer. Beane praised the leadership they have been providing.
The schedule is as follows:
Nov. 13 – Asheville School and Murphy; 20 – Owen, Mountain Heritage and Asheville at Asheville.
Dec. 1 – at Bakersville Duals (Mitchell); 4 – Christ School and Asheville School at Asheville School; 8 – at Tuscola Tournament; 11 – at Franklin; 15 – Saunooke Tournament at Cherokee; 18 – at Murphy; 28-29 – EBCI Tournament at Cherokee.
Jan. 3 – Rosman and Swain at Swain; 8 – Murphy; 11 – Brevard; 22 – West Henderson and Swain; 25 – Tuscola and Pisgah at Pisgah; 29 – at North Henderson.
Feb. 1 – Western Athletic Conference Tournament at North Henderson.
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