Mustang wrestlers to start year at Franklin

Action will begin at 4 p.m. with Cherokee and Swain also competing.

"I think we're going to shape up pretty good," Coach Ian Roper said.

He said his work as an assistant football coach might mean the Mustangs will start the season a little behind come other programs, but he feels they can quickly catch up.

"We're going to have to work out our weight classes," Roper said. "We had some kids grow out of the weight classes they were in last year, and the ones above them didn't move."

He said the Mustangs should be strong from 112 pounds to 130 and 171 pounds to heavyweight. He's confident the middle weight will come along although some team members will have to step up to claim spots.

The Mustangs wrestled Swain in a scrimmage Nov. 8. Had score been kept, they would have won 51-30.

While several weight classes are not completely settled, Roper gave a potential lineup:

112-125 - junior Cory McElprang, sophomores Jake and Mike Scott and freshman Trevor Trout; 125 - sophomore Rory Welch; 130 - sophomores Boomer Rish and Thomas Tardo; 135 - sophomore Adam Holbrooks; 140 - sophomore Brandon Woodard; 145 - senior Nate Novgrod; 152 - sophomore Josh Torrans; 160 - junior Kevin Price; 171 - senior Chris McFalls; 189 - junior Matt Nicholson; 215 - senior Chris Hilton; and heavyweight - junior Matt Boud.

The schedule is as follows:

Nov. 16 - at Franklin; 21 - at Asheville; 25 - Mustang Invitational; 28 - at West Henderson.

Dec. 2 - Top Gun Invitational at West Henderson; 5 - Swain; 9 - at Cherokee Tournament; 13 - North Buncombe; 15 - at Asheville Tournament; 19 - at Owen; 20 - Rosman; 29-30 - Falcon Invitational at West Henderson.

Jan. 3 - Franklin; 6 - at Hendersonville Tournament; 9 - Tuscola; 12 - at Brevard; 16 - Enka; 19 - Pisgah; 23 - Erwin; 27 - at Robbinsville Tournament; 30 - at Mountain Heritage.

Feb. 1 - at Hayesville; 3 - Western Athletic Conference Tournament at Franklin.

Back to Sports: 11/16/00.