Young Raiders showing potential on the mats

By Steve LeMaster
stevelemastersports@yahoo.com

STEARNS – McCreary Central High School wrestling head coach Gary Parriman is already witnessing his team show improvement in the 2017 season. Earlier in the month, the Raiders turned in a solid performance in a Perry County-hosted tournament.

“I am very excited about this team,” said Parriman. “We are extremely young with a lot of new kids. Some freshmen have wrestled before in middle school. The effort of this team is high everyday. This is probably, overall, the hardest working group I have ever had here. New guys Julian Cruz and Seth Steen are looking good. Even though this is their first year I look for good things from them. Veterans Nathan Prosser, Ruben Martinez, Noah Jones and Waylin Dople – we are hoping for big things from them this year as well as Connor Ball and Seth Anderson, who should be joining the team in the next week or two to compete during their senior seasons. The one kid who I feel has really stepped up to the plate and has the capability to take it to some guys is Anthony Simpson. He came in with a never quit attitude and a work ethic that is second to none. He will be wrestling out of his weight category for a few weeks, helping the team until everyone gets settled. He will be a great asset to the team.”
Grapplers from multiple classes are expected to help lead the McCreary Central wrestling program.

“Junior Triston Conatser looks primed for this season after suffering from injuries late last season, Parriman added. “He could be one of the best assets to this team this year as well. I just truly can not say enough about this entire group of kids. The work ethic is there the desire to learn is there. The entire team is just awesome to be working with.”