Tigers try to continue recent rise

The Central's wrestling team continues to improve under coach Josh Crowell, coming off back-to-back winning dual seasons for the first time in years.

Central finished 6-4 last year after a 7-3 finish in 2003.

With seven returning lettermen, Crowell is optimistic.

"We're looking to continue to do well in duals, and do even better in our tournament schedule," he said.

Seniors Cory Huskey, Dan Coonce and Josh Smoot will lead the Tigers. Huskey has qualified for the state meet the past two seasons.

"We're still a young team. We have only three seniors, which hasn't necessarily hurt us in the past," Crowell said.

Chris Griffith and Matt Latham are also coming off strong seasons for the Tigers. Griffith, a junior, was all-conference and a sectional qualifier last season. Latham, a sophomore, qualified for the sectional in his first year in the sport.

Besides strengthening the high school program, Crowell has started a youth program in Cape. It won't be long before the high school program reaps the benefits.

"That's finally rolling in. Our junior high program is going really well," Crowell said. "It's so much easier as a coach when you have these kids coming in with experience."

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.