With eight returning lettermen, many of whom had postseason success last year, Mount Gilead wrestling coach Mike Williamson has a strong core of guys to build around.
Senior Kaleb Fisher and juniors Jullian Anderson, Brandon Strickland, Zach McCallen and Nate Weaver qualified for districts last year, while seniors Hunter Trimmer and Tyler Cooper were district qualifiers two years ago. Also, junior Lane Carpenter was a varsity starter for last year’s squad.
While the team graduated varsity starter Dominic Sullivan, Williamson has a lot of newcomers looking for spots in the line-up. Junior Josh Brown, sophomore Jake Simmons and freshmen Justice Johnson, Josh Sullivan, Chuy Rubio, Bryce Harden, Andy Williamson and Colten Clark all join the team this year. Williamson noted that with a mix of veterans and newcomers, one team goal is for the experienced wrestlers to help the youngsters improve.
“We want to have our older guys mentor the younger guys in such a way that we become one solid team by the end of the year,” he said. “We would like to get into the postseason and have our guys at their best, so they can understand how their hard work paid off and they can reap what they sow.”
In the KMAC, the coach looks at Northmor as being the top team with Highland and East Knox following.
“We hope to finish in the top three in the league,” he said.
