The inaugural season of wrestling at Aledo High School was a success with six boys qualifying for the 5A Region I Meet.
Now, coach Austin Stockon and his team are ready for even more.
"Now that we have a year under our belts, and I am hopeful that this team can go out and compete week-in and week-out," Stockon said. "My hope is to get more out of our district level this year and on to regionals."
The season is going to begin in a special way. Instead of the customary indoor match, Aledo is going to open its season against Weatherford in an event called Parker County Dual under the stars at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, at Kangaroo Stadium.
"We're doing outside that evening so it'll be unique event. I want to get the word out to our community so we can pack the stands and cheer our group on," Stockon said.
Varsity boys returning include seniors Zach Attaway (150-pound division), Britton Collins (190), Jason "Colonel" Douglas (157), Jacob Ellerbusch (132), Ty Hand (157), Jason Rudnick (126), Chad Thomas (120), Max Toth (165), Bryce Vonasek (190) and Bryon Moreno (285), along with sophomore Grady Saunders (126).
Thomas placed third in district last season and qualified for regionals, while Hand was a regional alternate after placing fifth in district.
Three sophomores return for the Ladycats, Caroline Gartner (138), Avery Kernan (107) and Kyra Wright (114). Kernan and Wright were each sixth in district.
"Brice Bohn comes in to our 106-pound spot, filling a weight we did not have last year," Stockon said. "He also comes with some wrestling experience, so I am looking for him to make an immediate impact on our team."
The Bearcats/Ladycats will return to Weatherford — this time to the high school — on Nov. 18 for the Outback Invitational. Their first varsity home meet will be a tri-meet against Benbrook and Carter Riverside on Dec. 14, though the junior varsity will host a meet on Dec. 5.
They will also compete in tournaments at Midlothian Heritage (Nov. 12), Colleyville Heritage (Dec. 2-3), Burleson Centennial (Dec. 10), Azle (Jan. 7) and Arlington Bowie (Jan. 20-21). The District 4-5A Tournament is in Azle Feb. 2-3, where the top four in each weight class will advance to regionals Feb. 10-11.
"We have a tough district that reaches all the way out to Lubbock. Azle is returning to a great group and is bringing back most of their girls who made a run at state last year," Stockon said. "My hope is that we go into districts healthy this year and can make a better run at getting more kids onto the regional stage.
"I'm excited to watch this team compete. Last year it was completely new for everyone."
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