With just 12 grapplers, the Archbishop Murphy wrestling team can’t fill every weight class, so the Wildcats have had a hard time finding dual-meet victories this winter. But coach Blaine Gilchrist-Smith is measuring success in other ways.
“The season has been successful in that we’re progressing at a good rate,” Gilchrist-Smith said. “We have some kids who’ve never wrestled at all before. Initially they didn’t even know how to get into the starting position, but now they’re to the point where they know what they’re doing and can execute maneuvers. The improvement is easy to see from week to week.”
The Wildcats could have multiple representatives at next month’s Mat Classic. Colin Howell (138 pounds) was a state meet participant last season, and Gilchrist-Smith has high hopes for the team’s two seniors, Barret Floyd (170) and Matt Keck (195).
“Colin was injured early in the season, so his conditioning was lagging behind, but now he’s getting back to where he should be,” Gilchrist-Smith said. “He’s wrestling well right now, and we hope that continues and that progress can carry him back to state. Barret and Matt are extremely good leaders, and they’ve finished well in tournaments and have been very competitive.”
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