Braves' state champ faces new challenge
By STEVE MCCLURE
Sports correspondent
Dec. 10, 2008
In terms of experience and depth, Franklin and Center Grove appear to field the top high school wrestling teams in Johnson County.
But among individuals, Indian Creek sophomore Ethan Raley stands above the rest.
Raley is the defending IHSAA state champion at 103 pounds. He finished the 2007-08 season with a 33-0 record.
He dominated the state tournament in his weight class. Raley knocked off three opponents in the two-day state finals before winning by decision against previously undefeated Casey Kenney of Jay County in the championship match.
This season, Raley will compete at 119 pounds.
"The competition will be tough, but I think he'll do very well," said Keith Grant, who is in his third year as the Braves' coach. "Ethan has grown some, and he's a lot stronger.
"He's mentally strong, and his previous experience in the junior nationals gave him an edge competing before a large audience."
Indian Creek lost only one wrestler to graduation, Justin Cave, who finished second in last season's sectional at 171 pounds.
Top returners include sophomore Trey Reese (152) and seniors Derek Modugno (160) and Christian Minnick (171).
Center Grove
The Trojans return an experienced group, including four state qualifiers and six wrestlers who advanced to the semistate.
The returning state qualifiers are juniors Matt Milton (103) and Jordan Legan (119) and seniors Jerod Crump (130) and Shelby Mappes (160).
Other returning starters include a pair of sectional champions, junior Clint Plake (112) and senior Matt Adams (125).
"We have a nice mix of experience and young talent," third-year coach Cale Hoover said. "We should have a solid team and hope to compete at a high level come state tournament time."
Nine wrestlers from the Trojans' Class 5A state football championship team fill out the Center Grove roster.
"They're all getting up to speed as quickly as possible," Hoover said.
Franklin
The defending county and sectional champion Grizzly Cubs lost five seniors to graduation, including sectional champion and state qualifier Jae Van Horn (135).
But the Cubs return a wealth of experience and have 19 freshmen on the varsity roster.
"We should be pretty solid from top to bottom," said coach Bob Hasseman, who is in his 23rd season at Franklin. "Our young guys are going to make some mistakes, but they all wrestle hard. Their hearts are in it, and that's very important."
Top returnees include state qualifiers Nick Smith (140), a senior; Luke Schofield (119), a junior; and county, sectional and regional heavyweight champion Neal Lane, a senior.
Other top returners include sophomore Cole Van Horn (125), junior Bret Bass (171) and senior Mark Mathews (215).
Greenwood
Despite the graduation loss of four seniors, coach Mike Smitson has high expectations for the Woodmen this season.
"It's one of the most solid groups we've had in many years," he said. "On paper, everything looks encouraging.
"Everything will depend on what kind of individual matchups we get. We'll get a good measure of things as we get through these first few matches."
Top returners include junior D.J. Waters (189), who won county and sectional titles; seniors Tanner Beaton (215), Nick Smale (heavyweight) and Michael Wood (160); and juniors Jake Clawson (145), Cameron Stout (125) and Daniel Selph (130).
Whiteland
The Warriors lost sectional champions Austin Dickey (119) and Jacob VanDeman (215) among nine graduated seniors.
Whiteland finished fourth at last year's county tournament and was sixth at the eight-team Mooresville Sectional.
Returning for coach Dave Thompson are seniors Jordan Sharp (heavyweight), Jaryd Baker (145) and Jon Michiels (130); juniors Brandon Gieseking (152), Cody Oakes (160) and Zach VanDeman; and sophomores Preston Wilson (125), Kollin Wheat (171) and Luke Strain (189).
