JACKSON LOOKS TO BE IN UNUSUAL REBUILDING MODE

To the victor go the spoils -- and also the expectations.

Jackson High's wrestling team, which opens the season Tuesday night at home with New Madrid County Central, has won 46 consecutive dual meets.

Last year the Indians placed sixth in the Missouri Class 4A state meet. Although Jackson lost nine varsity starters to graduation, there isn't much sympathy for coach Steve Wachter.

People want to know how he will overcome the squad's youth -- not whether he will.

"I've been asked that quite a few times," Wachter said with a laugh. "We're just going to have to work as hard as we can, and just do the best we can with what we have. We've been real fortunate to have some really outstanding kids. We're just going to be at a disadvantage because of our [lack of] experience.

"This will be kind of a rebuilding year for our team. This is the youngest group I've had in a while."

Not only is Jackson young, but opponents are strong.

"It's going to be real difficult because I think Ste. Genevieve and Farmington, they're probably just head and shoulders above everybody else in the area this year," said Wachter. "They'll be really tough."

Jackson has one returning wrestler who was among the best in the state last season. Last year as a sophomore, Lance Schlick placed third in the state meet at 103 pounds. This season Schlick will wrestle at either 119 or 125 pounds.

"It's going to be a little bit tougher when you move up weight classes like that, but he's grown quite a bit," Wachter said. "He's worked real hard this spring and summer."

The only other returning state qualifier is senior Kent Langston. A qualifier last year at 189 pounds, Langston will wrestle at 189 or 215 this year.

Senior Eric Rhodes placed third in the conference last year and will be at 112, 119 or 125. Junior Kyle Watson was a state qualifier two years ago as a freshman and will wrestle 130 or 135.

Senior Jason Goben (135) saw some varsity action last year, senior Cory Jaco (140 or 145) didn't wrestle as a junior and senior Lance McClard (160 or 171) wrestled on the JV team last year.

Senior heavyweight Aaron Ross started on the varsity team all last season. Sophomore Adam Wachter (125 or 130) was a sectional qualifier last year.

Much of the rest of the lineup has not been determined. Among those vying for varsity spots are:

Freshman Brett Stroud (103 or 112), sophomore Kiel Johnson (112 or 119), sophomore Josh Deneke (119), sophomore Kyle Huck (125 or 130), junior Kyle Heck (140) and sophomore Chris Freeman.

Also fighting for slots are: junior Paul Finley (152), junior Mark Wade (152), junior Eric Graham (152), sophomore Kevin Brunke (160), junior Hance Bartels (160), junior Dustin Baker (171), sophomore Spencer Hobeck (189).