by Ben Murphy
Sports Writer
Last year was the breakthrough that the Clare wrestling program had long been waiting for. The Pioneers had an impressive 24-6 dual meet record and was able to win their first ever Jack Pine Conference championship. They’ll return plenty from that squad for a chance at a repeat of the league title too, and have an influx of new talent as well.
“(Our goals are) to be in the top five academically again this year in Division 3, we certainly want to repeat as JPC champs and win the schools’ first ever district title,” head coach Dennis Doyle said. “Individually I think we can get four-to-six wrestlers to the state tournament.”
Returning with varsity wrestling experience will be seniors Jon Bouchey (285), Danny Welch (285), Gavin Dionne (144), juniors Wyatt Dole (150), Holden Hollingshead (165), Carter Smedley (138), Alden Tait (165) and sophomores Joey Bouchey (144), Logan Carstensen (120), Bryson Hernandez (126), Dane Kruskamp (132), Ryan Moreno (120) and Carter Peacock (138).
New to the team will be juniors Jake Punches (215), Ava Long (120, junior wrestler), Jacob Brown (175) and freshmen Tommey Dewey (175), Ann Marie Green (215, female wrestler), Dylan Kruskamp (126), Dustin McPhee (138), Andrew Moreno (132), Clayton Peacock (113), Ayden Stahl (12), Trevin Urbaniak (215) and Deven Wheeler (120).
“I’m very pleased with the numbers we’ve had, happy with how hard everyone is working and how helpful the veterans have been to the new members of the team,” Doyle said. “I think we will do well again in the conference but am expecting it to be a harder road than last year. Gladwin will always be tough and I expect Meridian to have more wrestlers and be tougher than last year.”
JPC meets do not begin until Jan. 11, so the Pioneers should have plenty of time to get things ready for their title defense.
“Our focus (early on) will be to get up to speed as quickly as possible and get the newer wrestlers comfortable competing in competitions,” Doyle said. “The first few meets will be used to evaluate wrestlers and to get our weight classes figured out. I’m looking forward to working with a great group of kids who want to get better and challenge themselves daily.”