Wrestling under way

It’s that time of year again and winter sports practices are starting up. Each time has a lot to accomplish in the limited time before their first match and Plains-Hot Springs wrestlers are no different.

“It’s going to be interesting I think, because we’ve got a lot of really new kids,” Savage Horsemen head coach Kenny Margerison said. “We’re going to be packing it in between now and Dec. 3 for sure.”

On a team with 14 wrestlers only five are returning from last year’s team, but those that are coming back will do so with a wealth of experience.

Senior Kenneth Beech has little to prove after placing at state for each of the last three years, including back-to-back third place finishes. This year, however, the 119 pounder is looking to add an exclamation point onto the end of his already successful high school career.

“He’s going to be really, really in the hunt for a state championship,” Margerison said.

Cole Goodwin, another senior, will represent the Savage Horsemen in either the 135 or 140 pound class. Goodwin ended his junior campaign by earning fifth at divisionals.

“We’re going to be looking for some really good stuff out of him this year,” Margerison said. “We’re hoping for a medal at state.”

Sophomore Coby Chisholm, 140 pounds, has nearly limitless potential and was one match away from a trip to state last year as a freshman.

“He’s a tremendous athlete all the way around, but being an underclassmen is tough,” Margerison said.

Zoe Banovich, the only girl on the team, has not only wrestled with 112 pound competitors, but gender stereotypes as well for the last three years.

“Being a girl in a guys’ sport is extremely difficult at times, but she’s always done her part to pull her weight,” Margerison said. She works hard in practice so we’re looking forward to some good stuff out of her too.

With the season opening Mixer coming up on Dec. 3, Margerison and his staff only have a few weeks to shake off the rust with the upper classmen, teach the young guns what high school wrestling in Montana is all about and get both groups in shape for the grueling season ahead of them.

“Our coaching philosophy has always been that if you’re out of wind and not in good shape, it’s pretty tough to be thinking about what you’re supposed to be doing as a wrestler,” Margerison said. “It’s [practice] extremely difficult for those kids. A lot of times it’s been prepared to military bootcamp, and I’ve graduated a lot of kids into the military that said it’s nothing compared to wrestling practice.”

In a normal year, Margerison would focus mostly on conditioning, because returners would have most of the fundamentals down. But this year, with nine new wrestlers, that’s not a viable option.

This year, the coaches will be splitting the team up between veterans and rookies. Margerison will take the returners and focus on getting them in the best shape possible, while the other coaches will work on fundamentals with the newcomers.

“We’re mainly going to be looking at the fundamentals and trying to get them going on a few moves from each position, nothing real flashy, just something they can use when the time comes,” Margerison.

Luckily Margerison will have some quality help in the form of two new assistant coaches who each bring something different to the team.

First, a familiar face in Kyle Brown. Brown graduated from Plains high school in 2007, and wrestled for Margerison, madding it to the medal podium twice at the state tournament. At about 190 pounds Brown will work will give the heavyweights a workout at practice.

Although, Joe Bratz is new to town and new to coaching, he’s no stranger to wrestling. Bratz recently moved from WA, where he had a successful high school career. Bratz, 125 pounds, will work primarily with the lighter wrestlers

“Both of those guys are going to be great additions to the team,” Margerison said. “Both are going to add a lot of youth and good wrestling experience to the program so we’re grateful to have them.”

Last years assistants Seth Reedy and Ryan Brubaker could not commit because of scheduling restraints, but will help out when they can.

“It’s going be a rebuilding year that’s for sure, but we’re looking forward to it,” Margerison said. “It’s nice to have that many kids back in the room.”