Mingus Union High School wrestled its way to three comfortable wins in season-opening dual matches Nov. 25 at Camp Verde High School.
Second-year head coach Tim McKeever and his staff will need to get that comfortable on the road, as that will be where all of the Marauders’ matches are going to be until Wednesday, Jan. 28. By then, the Division III, Section I meet at Bourgade will be right around the corner.
“It’s a long grind to sectionals,” he said. “I don’t care if we win or lose now: I care about winning at sectionals. That’s the only thing that matters.”
With the exception of forfeits in the 106- and 113-pound weight classes, only three MUHS wrestlers lost their bouts against Arizona College Preparatory Academy and Antelope Union and Mayer high schools Nov. 25.
“I’m looking, but no 106[-pounder] right now,” McKeever said. “Mikey Joneas was my 106, but he’s my 113 now, and he was ineligible.”
Six seniors, including McKeever’s son Cordell and state semifinalist Wyatt Midkiff, will help the Marauders ease into their travels. While the 6-foot,1-inch, 285-pound McKeever will again seek to get past the state quarterfinals as a heavyweight, Midkiff is wrestling at 220 pounds in a final attempt to achieve a Division III state title Saturday, Feb. 13.
“We’re very strong in the upper weights,” McKeever said. “That’s our key.”
For the full story, please see the Wednesday, Dec. 3, issue of the Cottonwood Journal Extra.
