Four Sheridan wrestlers got pins during the Blackhawks’ meet with Taylor on Thursday. Pictured are Treyton Bogus (132 pounds), Gabe Snider (150), Alex Cravens (165) and Brady Hammack (175). (Richie Hall)
By RICHIE HALL
SHERIDAN – Like so many other teams this winter, the Sheridan boys wrestling team is a young one.
Of the 17 wrestlers on the Blackhawks’ roster, six are freshmen and six are sophomores. That leaves five upperclassmen (two juniors and three seniors), so Sheridan coach Jason Pedigo said his team is “going to stay young for a little while.”
“This season, though, it’s been kind of an up-and-down battle of keeping guys healthy, keeping guys ready to go and some very tough competition throughout the season,” said Pedigo.
The Blackhawks finished their dual meet season Thursday by hosting Taylor at Larry Hobbs Hall. Sheridan won the meet 42-27, taking seven of the 12 matches. Four of those victories were by pin, starting with a seven-second fall Treyton Bogus at 132 pounds, which Pedigo confirmed as the “fastest pin of the season so far.”
Bogus kept things simple: “The throw was there,” he said. Bogus is one of the sophomores on the team.
“He’s definitely turning a corner,” said Pedigo. “We got guys that are stepping it up and doing really well.”
Another sophomore, Gabe Snider, also got a quick fall, pinning his opponent in 21 seconds.
The Blackhawks’ other two pins came from seniors. Alex Cravens won at 165 with a second-period fall, while Brady Hammack made his pin with 50 seconds left in the first period of the 175-pound bout.
Sheridan’s three other wins were by forfeit. The Blackhawks getting those victories were sophomore Parker Cravens at 157, sophomore Jordan Byrne at 215 and freshman Brody McKinney at 285.
Pedigo said that highlights of the season included Alex Cravens reaching the 100-career win milestone at the Eastern Holiday Tournament, while Snider had several comeback wins.
Sheridan has one more competition before the sectional. The Hawks travel to Delphi next Saturday, Jan. 24 for the Hoosier Heartland Conference meet. Sheridan then competes in the Frankfort sectional on Jan. 31.
Since wrestling is not a class sport, the Blackhawks will see matches against big schools such as Carmel, Fishers, Hamilton Southeastern and Westfield. But Pedigo believes his team can make an impact.
“I preach to the guys, no matter who you’re stepping on the line against, you’re just going to wrestle them how you need to wrestle them,” said Pedigo. “It doesn’t matter if they’re from a big school or another small school.”
