Yesterday (Thursday, Feb. 18) I attended the state high school wrestling tournament in Frankfort. It was an exciting, but long day for me as well as the nine Whitley County High School wrestlers. During the first-round, four of the nine pulled off wins with Aaron Back in the 152-pound class pinning his opponent in 43 seconds.
Back is Whitley County’s hope for a state champion. The Colonels have had two state runner-ups, but never a champion. This team has a chance to finish as high as any team before them. Dusty Brown coaches the Colonels and has done an excellent job in building the program. He has brought it along at a good pace. I remember the first time Darrell Singley called me to write about his son, Jaron’s win in the region and trip to the state. He is Brown’s assistant now, Instead of one or two wrestlers they have nine this season, the most ever.
Zack Bray (103), J.T. Siler (112), Jeff Couch (125), Stephen Back (135), Duncan Caddell (140), Charles Partin (145), Aaron Back (152), Solomon Vanover (171) and Samuel Vanover (215) are all among the state’s top wrestlers. I hope these kids get recognized by the school system with a big banner proclaiming them the region’s best.
Whitley County is on the fast track to being a wrestling school. A reporter from Frankfort that covers high school wrestling more than me, told me yesterday that when Whitley County sends someone to state, you better take them serious.
I know of this group, Jeff Couch and Duncan Caddell have been around for a long time it seems. They have encouraged others and have helped make wrestling at Whitley County a PROGRAM.
