There isn’t a better way to replace a four-time state champion than with a four-time state championship team.
That is the mission the Camp Verde High School wrestling program will begin Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 2:30 p.m. with a seven-team home meet.
As a team, the Cowboys take their first step toward an unprecedented fourth straight state title while attempting to replace the graduated Ryan Allred, who accomplished the feat individually Feb. 13 at the Division IV state wrestling championships.
“That’s in God’s hands,” said Tracy Tudor, who returns two other state champions from last season, his first as CVHS head coach. “The main thing is, to stay together as a brotherhood.
“If we keep it together like a team, we’re going to do all right. If we don’t, and we’re just individuals, we will fall apart. I don’t care how good you are.”
Senior Alex Casillas and junior Hayden Uhler, along with 2012 state title winner Matt Mejia, form what Tudor feels could be a solid core of state champions from 106 to 138 pounds.
“Then we’re a little bit sparse,” Tudor said. “We’ve still got veterans, but in the middle, it’s just a little bit weak. We’re pretty lean this year as far as numbers [go].”
So to overcome challengers such as Benson, St. John’s, Round Valley, Willcox and Nov. 24 opponents Morenci and Window Rock high schools, the Cowboys need their full complement of wrestlers.
“Window Rock’s got a full team,” he said. “They’ve usually got two to three good kids. You never know.”
Academic ineligibility has already chipped away at those hopes, however, as poor grades have sidelined as many as five CVHS wrestlers for the opener.
“We’re not full-strength,” Tudor said. “Our quality this year is probably better than last year. We’ve got kids, but we’re not deep.”
Tudor is not even sure yet of the status of the 113-pound Casillas and 138-pound Mejia for the seven-team home meet — nor of junior West Phillips, the new wrestler at 106 pounds with sophomore Skyler Pike electing, for personal reasons, to take the season off.
For the full story, schedule and more photos, please see the Wednesday, Nov. 18, issue of the Camp Verde Journal.
