Tigers strive to take another positive step

Cape Girardeau Central's wrestling program has progressed solidly in Josh Crowell's relatively brief tenure and Crowell is confident that will continue as he enters his third season as the Tigers' coach.

After winning just two dual matches and having no state qualifiers for the first time in 12 years during Crowell's first season at Central, the Tigers made major strides in 2000.

A year ago, the Tigers went 5-4-1 in duals for their first winning season in 15 years; they won the De Soto Tournament for their first tourney victory since 1986; they posted their highest SEMO Conference showing in some time, placing fourth out of 11 teams and finishing only behind Class 3A state champion Farmington, 3A runner-up Ste. Genevieve and 4A fourth-place Jackson; and they had three 4A state qualifiers.

"From where our program was at, I was pretty ecstatic about what happened last year," said Crowell, a former standout wrestler for the Tigers. "Last season was one of many firsts for us. It was a breakthrough season for the program."

Even the Tigers graduated their three state qualifiers -- Leland Woelk, who finished fourth at 145 pounds, along with 171-pounder Nick Harter and 189-pounder O.J. Turner -- Crowell expects to build on last year's success.

"Absolutely," he said. "We have the most kids out since I've been here. We've got more than 40 after we finished last year with 24 and my first year with 14.

"I think we really have the interest going and our youth league has really helped. The good thing with numbers, we have several weight classes that are three or four deep and that means everybody will get a lot of good competition."

The Tigers return five varsity regulars from last season, including sectional qualifier Trevor Duncan, a junior who had a 23-11 record at 152 pounds a year ago. Duncan will be at either 152 or 160 this season.

"Trevor had a good season last year and he's really shooting for state this year," Crowell said.

Senior Shannon Mungle, who posted a winning record at heavyweight last year, will be at either 189 or 215 this season.

"Shannon is a real team guy. He wrestled heavyweight even though he only weighed about 195 because he knew it would help us out team-wise, but this year he'll be in the right weight class," said Crowell.

Senior Dustin Ingram (125) also had a winning record last year while sophomores Jonathan Poston (119) and Clay Tummins (135) were regulars as freshmen.

Many of the team's positions were still up for grabs at press time, but Crowell looks for good things from sophomore Matt Welker (103 or 112), who was on last year's JV, along with promising freshmen Lee Hodges (130) and Cory Huskey (140).

"I'm expecting another good year," Crowell said. "Our main goal is always to start peaking around the district tournament. We train for the main goal of state and we're looking to get several guys to state."

Central opens the season Tuesday at Murphysboro, Ill.