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NTL WRESTLING: YOUTHFUL WYALUSING EXCITED ABOUT THEIR POTENTIAL THIS SEASON (2022-12-02)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
Wyalusing’s line-up will look a little differently this year than last. They lost quite a bit to graduation, and have a few injuries they’re dealing with, but coach Michael Earle expects them to be competitive once again.

“Every wrestling season is pretty exciting,” said coach Michael Earle. “You get kind of a brand new team with new faces in there, and we’re ready to get back at it.”


They lost six seniors - including state medalist Nick Woodruff - who combined to go 97-48 last season, and they won’t be easy to replace.


“We have some good ninth graders that have come in,” Earle said. “And some of the guys that were not necessarily in the starting line-up may fit in the line-up this year. We’re still trying to figure some of that out, but I would definitely say a younger team this year.”


Younger, but still bursting with promise. They return C.J. Carr, who went 33-8 a year ago and reached states, Ayden Hunsinger, who was 22-12 and reached regionals, and Alex Hunsinger, who was 15-14.


Carr, especially, looks to be on the cusp of breaking into the medals at states. He made it the furthest of any District IV wrestling down at Hershey, and came up just short in the blood round.


“I think that was huge last year, for him to even make it to states, and get that experience,” Earle said. “He’s a little bit bigger this year, but still same the goals, that are even bigger goals that he had last year.”


Carr has been chomping at the bit to get back out on the mat.


“I’ve been wrestling all summer,” he remarked. “I just can’t wait.”


He plans on being up at 121 pounds this year, when things are all said and done, but doesn’t think the jump in weight class will dampen his chances at a state medal. In fact, he thinks it should help him.


“Last year wasn’t ideal with my weight,” he said. “I feel like I was a lot better than those guys. I had a really tough weight cut. This year I’m going to be in a lot better weight class, and feeling a lot better towards the end of the year.”


He’s also hoping to pick up some postseason titles along the way, something he came up short with a year ago.


“I’m definitely working on finishing my shots,” remarked Carr. “I’ve been working a lot on my neutral.”


Ayden is another wrestler to watch. He was a regional qualifier a year ago, something that his coach feels gives him an edge going into this year.


“Getting that experience will really benefit him in the postseason,” said Earle. “A lot of work to be done between now and then, but I know his goal is to be a state qualifier.”


“It’s a big confidence booster knowing that you did that good,” Ayden said about almost making states. “If you keep working you can get to the next level.”


He was a 20-match winner a year ago as a freshman, but will be at one of those tough weight classes in the middle this year. Still, he feels he’s further along this year than he was last year as a newcomer.


“I working more from neutral,” Ayden said. “Get my stance, faster feet, work, and get more shots in.”


Much like with football, Ayden will have his brother, Alex Hunsinger, in the wrestling room with him.


“It’s fun,” Ayden said about having his brother to work out with. “There’s always interesting moments in the wrestling room. It makes you want to work hard, and beat him off and on.”


Alex has about 30 pounds on Ayden, but it doesn’t deter the younger brother.


“It gets me better, working with someone bigger than my size,” said Ayden.


Alex will be called upon to anchor the upper weights this season now that Woodruff is gone. He plans on staying at 189 pounds.


“It’s pretty important, especially when you start at the higher weights,” Alex said about setting the tone at the upper weights, where falls tend to me more common. “We get the match off there, we’ve got to get it started good, and rolling good at a decent pace.”


The line-up will look quite a bit different this year as they add in eight freshmen, but he feels they have the talent to replace their losses.


“We’ve got a couple of new kids and beginners,” Alex remarked. “We’re going to try to teach, and get them kids back in the wrestling mindset.”


Alex would like to be a district place winner, and earn a spot to regionals for his senior season.


“My mindset,” he said about what he’s been working on. “That’s the biggest thing we’re focusing on.”


His coach believes Alex can go a long ways this post sesaon.


“I think he might surprise some people,” said Earle.


Other wrestlers to watch are Cade McMicken (16-16 last year), and Zack Fenton (4-11).


“I think he’s going to take a big jump from last year,” Earle said about McMicken. “I think (Zach) is going to start coming into his own.”


Dual meet wise they had close losses to Athens and Towanda a year ago, two blemishes they would like to change. The Rams are also hoping to make the district duals tournament again.


“I think expectations still need to be really high on where we end up, and not using our youth or inexperience for any sort of excuse,” Earle remarked. “Our junior high coaches do a fantastic job getting these guys reach. I think we’ve got some pretty good talent for ninth graders going in, and we’ll just see how they handle that adjustment from junior high to varsity.”


ROSTER (Grade)

Isaiah Harvey (9)

Cole Patrick (9)

C.J Carr (11)

Jerry Johnson (9)

Jonathan Earle (9)

Cade McMicken (11)

Reuben Kinney (9)

Dominick Hadlock (9)

Ayden Hunsinger (10)

Noah Dean (10)

Ethan Vanderpool (9)

Alex Hunsinger (12)

Zach Fenton (11)

Mike Newman (10)

Colton Robinson (9)

Jordan Lamb (12)

Cole Porter (12)


SCHEDULE

Dec. 3 - hosts Gary Woodruff Memorial Duals, 9 a.m.

Dec. 8 - vs Wellsboro, 7 p.m.

Dec. 15 - at NEB, 7 p.m.

Dec. 20 - vs Saye, Canton, 7 p.m.

Dec. 27 - at Jim Thorpe Christmas Tournament

Dec. 28 - at Jim Thorpe Christmas Tournament

Jan. 1 - at Benton, 7 p.m.

Jan. 7 - at Line Mountain Duals, 9 a.m.

Jan. 11 - at Troy, 7 p.m.

Jan. 17 - vs Athens, 7 p.m.

Jan. 21 - at Towanda, 7 p.m.

Jan. 24 - at Williamson, with NPL, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 27 - at Ultimate Warrior, 11 a.m.

Jan. 28 - at Ultimate Warrior, 9 a.m.




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