CENTRAL HOPES TO TURN CORNERS THIS YEAR

Although Cape Girardeau Central High's wrestling team has no returning Class 4A state meet qualifiers and went 4-5-1 in dual meets last season, coach Drew Lilledahl has no doubt his Tigers will see better days this season.

"We'll definitely be better this year than we were last year," said Lilledahl, whose Tigers open the season Tuesday night at Murphysboro, Ill.

"This year in particular is going to be a big year as far as us turning corners and becoming successful varsity wrestlers. Last year we were young; we took a few beatings. We paid our price. I expect a lot from them this year."

Although no one except perhaps junior Travis Kaufman stands out, Lilledahl said his team has a number of potentially good wrestlers.

"We're pretty solid up and down the lineup; we don't really have any weaknesses," Lilledahl said. "But we don't really have any real strengths either. So we're all kind of in the same boat.

"I think any of those guys in the whole varsity lineup could go to the state tournament. It's just coming down to who wants to work and who wants it bad enough to go."

Lilledahl had a lot of praise for Kaufman, who will wrestle in the 140-pound class and sets a positive example for the team.

"I'll guarantee you one thing, Travis Kaufman will go [to the state tournament], because he's tough," Lilledahl said. "He's got the hardest work ethic of any high school athlete that I've been around in a long time. He's emerged as a leader."

Lilledahl said the team's leadership will come from his juniors, which comprise eight of the 13 varsity team spots. The squad also has two seniors, a sophomore and two freshmen.

The others in the varsity lineup are: junior Keith Benton (103), junior Eric Henry (119), junior Greg Chenoweth (125), senior Ben Allen (130), sophomore Josh Goodrich (135) and senior Brandon Beninati (145).

The heavier weights are: freshman Jamell Austin (152), freshman Otis Turner (160), junior Troy Sikes (171), junior Matt Strickland (189), junior Alex Elfrink (215) and junior heavyweight Craig Kenoth.