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Cougar wrestling team hosts Kerns Invitational Saturday
ROACHDALE--The fourth annual Kenny Kerns invitational took place Saturday as hosted by the North Putnam wrestling squad. The Cougars renamed their invitational after Kerns four years ago when he retired from 22 years of coaching.
"North Putnam has hosted this invitational for several years," coach Bucky Kramer said. "This is my third year hosting this, but last year it got cancelled, so it's really my second year. It was a really good showing from all the teams and it was a pretty even match for most of the day. I know our kids got better from last week. Whiteland had a really good outing. I know there were two or three matches we should've won, but we didn't and those kids will improve this week. The invitational on the day was a good success. Every team had at least one champion. "
Besides North Putnam, Chatard, North Vermillion, Rockville and Whiteland all showed up for the meet. The goal was to have six teams, but Kramer said that was not possible this year and that hopefully next year they would pick up a new team.
Whiteland was the champion for the day finishing without a loss at 4-0. The Warriors all had seven weight class champions.
It has been traditional that the Putnam County Tournament follows the invitational and both are dual tournaments. Dual tournaments have individual prizes, but they are also wrestling for a team prize, so there should be no selfishness. Kramer likes the opportunity that this provides for his team.
"Anytime you wrestle under a dual format you get an idea of what it's like to wrestle as a team," Kramer said. "When you wrestle in an individual tournament, a one point win is as good as a pin. Here, you work on your pinning combinations. That continues to help us as a team. We are really full of super young talent. They get better every time they step on the mat, so I'm happy with them. "
Four-year wrestler, Josh Coulter was the lone champion for North Putnam with a 3-1 record in the 126 pound weight class, but he was not the only one with a good day.
"Josh has had a good week at practice and he's just continued to get better," Kramer said. "He thinks about what he is doing. He's patient. He takes his opportunities when he has them. He has a pin on the day. He wrestled well for the day and I'm very happy for him. He's wrestled four years and as a senior he's a leader. We expect him to learn and continue and he's done a nice job."
The Cougars only had three losing records for the day, but every wrestler had at least one win. Freshman Jake Scott and sophomore Ethan Winings also had three wins on the day like Coutler.
"They're doing a really good job (at stepping up)," Kramer said. "Most of our team is comprised of freshmen and sophomores who are first year kids. This is the largest team we've had at North Put since anyone can remember. Our freshman class is really talented and they will continue to get better. Our sophomores who are back have done a really nice job."
When it comes to county later this week North Putnam is the only team that fields a full roster, but the other teams have very good wrestlers, so it is not a done set title. The Cougars will have to win some matches and not just rely on forfeits. Kramer was complementary of the other head coaches around the county and envies their programs.
"In terms of county we are the only team to field a full roster," Kramer said. "In regards to that, that means we're going to get some forfeit wins. We will still have to wrestle well. The Greencastle coach is really good, the South coach is really good, and the Cloverdale kids are really well coached. We have a lot of respect for the kids in the county."
Last year was a disappointment for the county teams. Only Kyle Schaffer of South Putnam made it past regionals last year and it has been an emphasis on the teams this year to improve that.
"Last year we were all disappointed that we only sent one wrestler beyond regionals," Kramer said. "Our goal is to increase those efforts. Our efforts involve making wrestling a little more important in Putnam County."
The county has made efforts by establishing youth programs in the elementary schools and Cloverdale and North Putnam involve themselves in a friendship dual. Other students also go to wrestling clubs and participate in the ISWA wrestling championships throughout the year.
The tournament is Thursday night at Cloverdale High School with a start time of 5:30 p.m
At North Putnam
Team Champion: Whiteland (4-0)
Chatard (3-1)
North Putnam (2-2)
North Vermillion (1-3)
Rockville (0-4)
Individual Champions
106- Brett Kenner (Whiteland)
113- Austin Denien (Whiteland)
120-Bodhi Tuttle (North Vermillion)
126- Josh Coulter (North Putnam)
132-Evan Behringer (Chatard)
138- Hunter Woolever (Chatard)
145- Tom Copeland (Whiteland)
152- Devan Brown (North Vermillion)
160- Drew Breitbach (Chatard)
170-Ike Murrell (Whiteland)
182- Ryan Hammond (Whiteland)
195- Austin Hahn (Whiteland)
220-David Hammond (Whiteland)
285-Connor Bettis (Rockville)
North Putnam records
106- Wittig 2-2
113-Scott 3-1
120- Culberson 2-2
126- Coutler 3-1
132- Straziscar 1-3
138- Winings 3-1
145-Bell 2-2
152- Malone 1-3
160- D. Binnion 1-3
170- Edwards 2-2
182- Flannelly 2-2
195- B. Binnion 2-2
220- Scheele 2-2
285- Aynes 2-2