New GHS coach looks to bring wins to young team

Friday, November 23, 2007

By JARED JERNAGAN

Sports Editor

Greencastle wrestling will see a changing of the guard this season as first year coach Matt McCommish takes over after the retirement of long-time Tiger Cub coach Russ Hesler.

The young coach inherits a rather young squad.

"We are young. We are going to be very immature," McCommish said.

Early practices have the coach upbeat about his program, though. The Tiger Cubs are fielding 22 wrestlers and should have no problem filling weight classes.

"Overall, we should be filling every weight class. We're looking good in terms of numbers," McCommish said. "Of course, I'd like more numbers, but right now that's what we're looking at."

With a young team, though, McCommish will be looking for upperclassmen to step up and take on leadership roles. Seniors Robert Perretti and Jeremy Neely will need to be leaders for the Cubs.

However, the junior class, particularly in the upper weight classes, will also have a very important role this season.

"Our upper weights are mostly juniors, so I see that being our strength right now," the coach said. "They are going to be Jacob Wright, Kyle Buchanan and Andy Harrison."

With a team of this size and limited experience also comes a very competive environment in the wrestling room. McCommish has liked what he's has seen from his wrestlers competing for weight classes.

"We have a couple of weight classes right now that are up in the air," he said. "It's going to come down, right now, to the wrestle-offs."

A Jasper native, the coach has been out of state for several years. He is simply pleased to back in the Hoosier state working with wrestlers.

"I'm excited about it. I know (Greencastle has) had good wrestlers in the past," McCommish said. "It's nice to be back up in Indiana. I've been in Florida for the last three years, so it's nice to be back in my home state coaching."

The Tiger Cubs open Nov. 20 at Mooresville in a triangular meet with Mooresville and Tri-West. The coach knows these teams will show him quickly where his team stands.

"Mooresville has a good program and Tri-West has a good program, so it's going to be tough," McCommish concluded.

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