Fishers, HSE come to grips with rivalry

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January 9, 2009

 

Fishers, HSE come to grips with rivalry

 

Wednesday's meet will mark the last time some Fishers wrestlers with HSE ties will go against their old school

 

By Steve Brooks

Star correspondent

 

Wednesday night's wrestling match between Hamilton Southeastern and Fishers will have a bit of finality.

 

Fishers is in its third varsity season, and many of the Tigers' seniors wrestled as freshmen at Southeastern.

 

"It's a good rivalry, and it's probably going to be a little better this year," said Southeastern coach Greg Gastineau. "It's the last year that any of our former kids will be on their team.

 

"It's kind of funny because the first year we wrestled them, they had a bunch of freshmen and sophomores. Last year, we were a lot younger than they were. This year, I think it's a little more even."

 

The Royals are 11-11, and Fishers is 13-8.

 

Tigers coach Jake Harreld said no matter the circumstances or setting, he expects an interesting match.

 

"It's pretty intense no matter what," Harreld said. "It's a real entertaining meet between cross-town rivals. A lot of these guys know each other and wrestled together as kids."

 

Southeastern is led by Patrick Robinson (26-2 at 152 pounds) and Spencer Reece (25-3 at 171).

 

"You look at Spencer, and last year when he was at Warren Central he didn't even get out of the sectional," Gastineau said. "He's got a great record this year, and he's already beaten a couple of really good kids. He's definitely got the ability to get to state."

 

Fishers has three 20-match winners -- Joe Lile (24-2 at 140), Brad Farrell (24-1 at 160) and Patrick Lux (22-4 at 189). Harreld said Lile's performance is a result of what transpired after last season.

 

"He had a great offseason and got a lot of experience," Harreld said. "He made a lot of improvement, so he's not that big of surprise this year, but he is doing better than he ever has in the past."

 

Harreld said the final stretch of the season -- the state tournament begins Jan. 31 -- is crucial for his team.

 

"I feel like we're in a good position right now," Harreld said. "We've got a couple of tough meets coming up that will help us get ready. Our (Hoosier Crossroads) conference meet is always challenging. It's good to see that kind of competition as you get ready for the (state tournament)."

 

Gastineau, meanwhile, is happy with his team's progress. The Royals went 6-13 last season.

 

"When you look at our kids, our record has improved," Gastineau said, "but it's not only wins and losses. We've got more pins that we had a year ago, and we've already doubled our takedowns."

 

The Royals will take to the mat with heavy hearts. Parker LaCross, a 2007 Southeastern graduate and former wrestler, died in a car accident Jan. 3.

 

"A lot of our kids knew him and really liked him," Gastineau said. "Our thoughts are with his family right now."