Jackson relies on work ethic, not reputation for winning

Over the past 10 years Jackson's varsity wrestling program has lost 10 dual meets.

Jackson's junior-varsity team has not lost a dual meet in 13 years, a streak of 124 victories.

The Indians have created one of the top wrestling programs in the state through a work ethic second to none.

"You have to put a lot of time in if you want success," coach Steve Wachter said.

Practicing twice a day is not uncommon for Jackson wrestlers, with two-a-days extending to Christmas break, at which time the team practices nearly every day.

"It helps get an edge. A lot of kids don't want to work over that period," Wachter said of the holiday workouts. "That's a crucial time for most teams."

The work ethic has produced nine state champion individuals, one team championship and countless all-state performers. Since 1970, the Indians have finished without a loss in dual meets 15 times, and during that stretch Jackson has lost more than two dual meets only twice. Last season the Indians won their first district title since 1995, earning Wachter district coach of the year honors.

"It was really a successful season, a very fun season," Wachter said.

Cody Rouse leads the way for another talented Jackson squad this season. Rouse finished second in the state last year, losing to undefeated Bobby Conn of Marquette at 145 pounds. Rouse will likely wrestle this season at 152.

"Probably right now, if you look on paper, our strength would be in our upper weights," Wachter said.

Along with Rouse, Jackson returns Blake Ulrich at 171, Kamden Rampley at 189, Andy Glass at 215 and Cole Jansen at heavyweight. Ulrich, Rampley and Glass were among seven state qualifiers the Indians had last season.

Jackson's other four state qualifiers -- Brock Howard, Ben Wachter, Kremer Rampley and Greg Ludwig -- graduated. Rampley finished third last year at 160 pounds, and Howard was a three-time all-state performer.

"We're going to have to replace them; that's not going to be easy," Wachter said.

In addition to being strong in the upper weights, the Indians return considerable varsity experience in the middle weights. Garrett Huck, Jordan Barnhart, Russell Brown, Ben McMillian, Sean Gant, Josh Schumacher and Bryan Sladek will compete for spots in the middle weights. Schumacher was a sectional qualifier last season. Gant finished second in the conference, and McMillian was 19-5 before suffering an injury midseason.

"I feel one of the keys to our team, as far as balance, is we have some really experienced middle weights," Wachter said.

Freshmen Erik Coffel, Justin Miller and Jamie Schumacher will likely fill spots at the lower weights. Sophomore Luke Rayburn will also compete at 103.

Notes

• This will be the first season wrestling will be divided into four Classes. Jackson moved up from Class 3 to Class 4, and Central moved from Class 2 to Class 3. Because of the extra class, there will no longer be both a district and sectional meet. Instead, each class will be broken down into four districts, and a two-day tournament will determine state qualifiers.