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Applying pressure
Douglas High School’s Ricky DeRoss, top, puts a hold on teammate Evan Chappell during wrestling practice Monday.
WINSTON -- Fourth-year coach Brandon Howren is optimistic his Douglas High wrestling team will be more complete this season.
That will mean less forfeits and an improvement in both dual results and in the standings of the Far West League.
"I'm trying to convince the kids it's more of a team sport than they think it is," the coach said. "I'm looking at trying to place in the top three as a team at district."
To achieve that goal, Howren knows his wrestlers will have to respond on an individual basis. He has a roster of 18.
"We should fill every weight class this year," the coach said. "We only filled nine last year.
"We have some good solid kids."
Douglas has several returners: Seniors Ricky DeRoss at 145 pounds, Brandon Driessen and Jesse Sulffridge at 140, and Matt Stacey at 145; juniors Brandon Clark at 119, Ethan Robbins at 140 and Kaleb Matsen at 215; and sophomores Danuel Lucero at 112 and Evan Chappell at 130.
DeRoss has advanced to the state Class 3A tournament each of the last two seasons at 145 pounds. He hasn't placed in that meet, but Howren is optimistic about his chances this year.
"I'm looking for him to definitely place this year, and probably pretty high," the coach said of the senior wrestler. "I see him having a really good shot at winning district this season. He's definitely been there before."
Driessen missed out on a state berth last season by one place, finishing fourth at district. Lucero was fifth at district last season.
Two years ago, Robbins almost qualified for state. Robbins didn't wrestle last season, but is back now.
Howren said he believes Driessen, Lucero, Robbins and also Chappell, Sulffridge and junior Kyle Bussell at 171 all have the potential to qualify for state.
"Some of the younger kids are also showing good potential," Howren said.
The coach said the team "is pretty stacked at 140 and 145," and he isn't sure yet at how the wrestlers will shape up at those middleweights.
The Trojans will open their season Dec. 5 in a dual meet tournament at Phoenix.
Howren said that in the Far West League, he expects Brookings, Coquille and Glide to field strong teams.
That will mean less forfeits and an improvement in both dual results and in the standings of the Far West League.
"I'm trying to convince the kids it's more of a team sport than they think it is," the coach said. "I'm looking at trying to place in the top three as a team at district."
To achieve that goal, Howren knows his wrestlers will have to respond on an individual basis. He has a roster of 18.
"We should fill every weight class this year," the coach said. "We only filled nine last year.
"We have some good solid kids."
Douglas has several returners: Seniors Ricky DeRoss at 145 pounds, Brandon Driessen and Jesse Sulffridge at 140, and Matt Stacey at 145; juniors Brandon Clark at 119, Ethan Robbins at 140 and Kaleb Matsen at 215; and sophomores Danuel Lucero at 112 and Evan Chappell at 130.
DeRoss has advanced to the state Class 3A tournament each of the last two seasons at 145 pounds. He hasn't placed in that meet, but Howren is optimistic about his chances this year.
"I'm looking for him to definitely place this year, and probably pretty high," the coach said of the senior wrestler. "I see him having a really good shot at winning district this season. He's definitely been there before."
Driessen missed out on a state berth last season by one place, finishing fourth at district. Lucero was fifth at district last season.
Two years ago, Robbins almost qualified for state. Robbins didn't wrestle last season, but is back now.
Howren said he believes Driessen, Lucero, Robbins and also Chappell, Sulffridge and junior Kyle Bussell at 171 all have the potential to qualify for state.
"Some of the younger kids are also showing good potential," Howren said.
The coach said the team "is pretty stacked at 140 and 145," and he isn't sure yet at how the wrestlers will shape up at those middleweights.
The Trojans will open their season Dec. 5 in a dual meet tournament at Phoenix.
Howren said that in the Far West League, he expects Brookings, Coquille and Glide to field strong teams.
