West Jefferson wrestlers battling through injuries
By Chris Miles
Sports Editor
The West Jefferson wrestling team had more participants at the OHSAA state championship wrestling tournament last year than any other school in Madison County.
With four wrestlers total, the Roughriders were well represented amongst the state’s best grapplers. Two of those state qualifiers reached the awards podium ending their seasons where every high school wrestler in the state dreams to be.
With all four of those guys expected to return to the lineup this winter, the team looked to be loaded with experience heading into the 2012-13 season, but injuries have dampened some of that excitement.
Junior state placer Ricky Ratcliff (seventh at 145 pounds) and senior Corey Ginn (state qualifier at 220 last year) are back in the lineup, but senior Gennar Feucht (fourth in state at 126) is still nursing an injury from soccer season and junior Hayden Fulton (state qualifier at 132) will miss the entire wrestling season after suffering an injury during football.
“I like the young men we have in the wrestling room,” West Jefferson coach Nick Christopher said. “They have been working hard every day to improve.”
Christopher said his squad despite having some much needed experience, also has some holes that will likely be filled by some more inexperienced guys. Seeing his older kids help bring the younger ones along has been a welcome sight thus far.
“We have had to deal with some adversity this year with several wrestlers not being in the lineup at this time due to injury, moving or just not coming out.
“The leadership from the older guys toward the new wrestlers has been great, they are taking time to help them in many ways. It’s exciting to see that they have an interest in the team getting better and improving for this season and beyond.”
There’s no substitute for experience and the Roughriders have some in the lineup, but even that doesn’t necessarily guarantee success. The team will need to develop as the season progresses and that’s something the coach fully expects to see.
“I don’t know what this season will bring or even what to expect with all of the changes so far,” Christopher said. “One thing I do know is that these young men will work very hard to improve as the season moves on.”
