By: Lanie Roberts
Salem High School's wrestling team dominated this season. Ending with a record of 19-6, the team was very successful. They were Super Six champions, in the top three in the Mid-Southern Conference and county champions for the second year in a row. According to Coach Andrew McCoskey, at least 75% of the team had a winning record.
“We did more than what was expected of us,” McCoskey said. “I think we did very well.”
He said the team's greatest strength was their ability to overcome opponents that have beaten them in the past. Team unity played a large part in their success. The seniors on the team were Zayne Paulley, Joel Altemeyer, Harley Schocke, Blake Lohrman and Evan Bowling. All of the seniors had a very successful season and played a large part in the team’s success.
The captains of the team were Bowling, Paulley and junior Brady Briscoe. All three had a leadership role on the mat and off. McCoskey said Junior Brandon Cornwell was able to keep a solid head when things got heated and kept other members calm. Paulley taught younger wrestlers new skills for the mat and served as a role model.
Junior Noah Daulton had an incredibly successful season, especially since this was his third year wrestling. He ended with a record of 25-7 and plans on winning more next season. Daulton was conference champion, regional qualifier and semi-state qualifier. He would like to improve at every aspect of how he wrestles. He said that the team atmosphere was great and he considered it the best of all the teams he was a part of.
“Wrestling has shaped me into the person I am today because you have to be very disciplined and you have to have the best mindset; wrestling has made me believe there is nothing that I can’t do,” Daulton said.
Since the majority of varsity is graduating this year, McCoskey has to prepare a number of wrestlers for the varsity positions. Several people coming from middle school, along with the juniors, will be moving up to varsity. McCoskey said getting to the wrestling room as soon as possible and getting more discipline will help these wrestlers prepare for varsity. The coach plans to have open mats and camps for all his wrestlers to improve before official wrestling season starts.
Overall McCoskey is proud of his team for all the hard work they put in. He is happy with the results of the season and excited to see what next season brings.
“We are achieving more together than any other combination in the past,” he said. “I’m proud to be a part of Salem Lions Wrestling.”