Scots still need experience but show improvement

  • Tony Dondero<br>Enterprise writer
  • Monday, March 3, 2008 11:42am

SHORELINE

Senior co-captains Ryan Pasic and Evan Burns return to lead a Shorecrest wrestling team that is young and inexperienced.

Despite being “so green and so rookie,” as coach Lee Thornhill put it, the Scots have some up-and-coming freshmen to fill the lighter weights. The Scots are down to one forfeit in the lineup (at 112 pounds) as opposed to forfeiting about four matches most of last season.

The Scots won its first meet of the season, 46-26, over league rival Shorewood Dec. 12. Shorecrest went winless in the Western Conference South Division last year.

“I think our lineup is a lot more solid than last year,” said Pasic, who will compete in the 140-pound weight class again.

Both Pasic and Burns have started the season 4-1 and have legitimate shots at state berths, Thornhill said.

Pasic, who qualified for the state 3A state tournament last year but didn’t compete because of a hand injury, has improved his technique and ability to recognize different wrestling situations, Thornhill said.

Burns, who is wrestling at 285 pounds, has shown more mobility than he did last year, which comes with maturity, Thornhill said.

Pasic said Burns looks bigger and stronger.

“I’m thinking he’ll have a real good year this year,” Pasic said.

The Scots have some other wrestlers with experience but most of the team is still finding its way around the mat.

“Most kids need 18 to 24 matches (a full season) before the entire picture of the game makes sense to them,” Thornhill said. “It’s really a race to 24 matches, if you don’t get discouraged and don’t lose focus, because each opponent is going to bring you a new lesson.”

Thornhill’s goals are to strengthen the middle school program and increase the number of wrestlers at the high school level. Right now, the Scots have 25 wrestlers, up from 18 last year. Out of nineteen Shorecrest freshmen who wrestled in middle school, only eight came out for the high school team, including three girls, Thornhill said. Attracting more quality student-athletes means improving the team’s image and gaining exposure.

“These are things that can be overcome with time as long as we stay patient and stay the course,” Thornhill said. “The administrators are behind us, it just takes time.”

One positive is that the parents group is “much stronger,” this year, he said.

Regardless of wins and losses on the mat, the Scots have started to earn the respect of their opponents.

“They do not back down from anybody,” Thornhill said. “They’ve been earning their respect.”

Pasic agreed, saying the Scots have “a lot of fight.”

“People are going after it which is what we need,” he said.

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