Season opens this weekend at Trojan Invite
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
The end of last season couldn’t have gone much better for the East Troy High School wrestling team.
Now the Trojans have to see what they can do for an encore.
Fresh off a 2013-14 campaign that saw East Troy send six wrestlers to the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association State Tournament, the Trojans have high expectations for good things, not only in the Rock Valley Conference, but again with an eye on Madison at the end of the season
Five of those six return this year, including three who placed in their respective weight classes.
Leading that crew is senior Andy Strey (145), who finished fourth last year. He is joined by juniors Cody Vogel (120) and Jeremy Dedick (160), who placed sixth. Also back after a trip to Madison last season are senior Ryan Engel (152) and Gabe Braam (132).
So far, so good, East Troy coach Michael Howard said this week.
“The wrestlers have started their first week strong,” he said. “They are showing that they have put in a lot in the off-season.”
Howard said he will lean heavily on his captains – Vogel, Strey and Dedick – to show their teammates how things are done.
That leadership will go a long way in determining how much success the Trojans enjoy, he added.
“I really expect our captains to lead through their actions,” Howard said. “Demonstrating hard work in and out of the classroom is what really makes an impression on other wrestlers.”
Other members of the East Troy squad in 2014-15 are seniors Mario Hernandez (170) and Nathan Dallas (220); juniors Charlie Ward (113), Devin Peterson (126), Griffin Baker (138), Sam Foley (160), Travis Cadman (182) and Kyle Storandt (285); and freshmen Joe Moede (106), Eli Fletcher (113), Chase Coleman (138) and Chris Storandt (195).
RVC title chase begins
Before the Trojans can think about the post-season, they have their sights set on another prize, Howard said, and that’s an RVC title.
Among the teams that could stand in East Troy’s way are Evansville and Brodhead-Juda.
“(They) always show strong in the conference,” Howard said.
But if the newcomers to the team can step up and mix in with the veterans, East Troy could have just what it takes contend, Howard said.
“(One of the keys is) younger wrestlers stepping up and being leaders of the team as well,” he said.
The Trojans begin their season this weekend when they host an eight-team invitational Saturday at 10:15 a.m. Joining East Troy are Cudahy, Green Bay West, Union Grove, West Allis Central, Harvard (Ill.), Whitnall and Indian Trails Academy.
East Troy opens dual meet action Thursday, Dec. 11, when it hosts Waukesha North in a 7 p.m. non-conference matchup.
