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Show Sporfstaculor 'wwti smdl Thursday, November 29, JJsimBBr Coach Joe James likes to sum it all up by saying, Its just one of those wait and see seasons. The Weber High wrestling mentor likes to be optimistic for the new wrestling season but says the situation with this years team is an unpredictable as snowfall in the month of November. You really dont know what youve got till youve got it. That may be the easy way out, but Coach James couldnt be more truthful about his situation with the Warriors. Only two wrestlers return who ex- perienced a great deal of ex- perience with the varsity squad last season. The point that makes things so interesting and optismistic in Coach James situation, is that several talenfed but untested juniors and seniors enter the varsity ranks in the winter of 79- 80. We wrestle against ourselves everyday and still its hard to determine how good we will be, 2 said James who will direct the wrestling squad for the first year as head coach. We have high goals and hopes but its still a wait and see operation, he said, The returning grapplers from last seasons Region One Dual Meet Champion are Ricky Tanner and Brad Story. Tanner eventually placed second in the region at in the region at 98 and Brad was consistent all year at the 126 pound bracket, James likes the idea of fielding a contending team every year and credits Webers past success to strong sophomore and junior varsity programs. The junior varsity team last season lost only itwo matches while the sophomores took the region title for the second straight season, Joe Oram is a good example of athletes coming up through the sophomore and junior varsity programs and finally breaking into the varsity picture as a top contender. Oram didnt lost a junior varsity match last season and could be a very strong contender for the region title this upcoming season. The team will get its first big test on November 27 when the team hosts Brighton, a long time state contender and the defenstate champion. The ding following match is scheduled with Cottonwood on November 4-- 29. Weight Breakdown James feels that two or three sophomores could be the main contenders for the Coach bracket. Last season Ricky Tanner filled this spot in more than an adequate way. Tanner finally ended up posting a 17--7 record for the year and finished second in the region. As a junior this year, hell fill in the weight with plenty of varsity experience behind him. At 112, the Warriors have Bart Bushman, another junior, who was a champion in a sophomore d region. sb' toss-u- p for the spot. With Dan Eastman still nursing a nagging football injury with his back, Weber will count on Chris Davis and Dennis Singleton to fill the positions at 167 and 185. And last but certainly not least is Webers Joe Oram, The stronger and much improved Oram will fill the heavyweight position for the Warriors. Sky View to be Tough Coach James feels that Region One will be as balanced as he can ever remember as far as teams strengths. He does feel that the Bobcats of Sky View will be tough again as they always seem to be. James was elated about the fact that 70 students are in the wrestling program this winter. I cant believe the interest. Ive got some goals for this spring and the summer for these kids so the future looks even better, he said. Dave Freston and Dave Shinney, two seniors, will eventually knock it out for the bracket. The teams two captains, Andre Malan and Randy Goodell along with Gary Allen and Clint Cooper are looking to battle it out Tor the 138 to 145 spots. Kip Johnson injured his collarbone iduring the football season but he hopes to be in action later in the season. 155 will be another equally exciting battle to see who wrestles in the varsity position. Here the Warriors have sophomore region champion Eric Burton, who saw some varsity action last year, Brad Summers a senior and Max Westerguard a junior. Coach Thursday, Noevember 29 Weber at Cottonwood Orem ..7 at Weber Thursday, December 6 Weber at Hillcrest - Mr' Friday, December 7 PLEASANT GROVE TOURNAMENT Thursday, December 13 Ben Lomond at Weber Saturday, December 15 , WEBER HOLIDAY INVITATIONAL Tuesday, December 18 , Weber at Box Elder Thursday, January 3 Sky View at Weber Saturday, January 5 RICHARDSON MEMORIAL Thursday, January lO Weber at Clearfield !VCvI otysbJ'vrirriiwi.iioi senior will be two of Coach Jomes' top gropplers this season. IV I w 979 Page 23 James feels it will be a The 119 position will either go to Brian Berger or John Rooud, two juniors, here in the early going. Senior Brad Story, looks strong at his weight, 126. Coach James says he may wrestle at 132 in the early part of the season. Warriors schedule Tuesday, December 4 1 r |