Hounds looking for 5th straight conference title

FORT MADISON - The Bloodhounds have won the last four Southeast Conference wrestling titles.

A fifth seems to be in the cards.

The Bloodhounds return some experience and depth in the heavier weight classes for the 2022-23 season. And Head Coach Ryan Smith said there are tons of opportunities for scrappy kids in the lighter divisions.

The Hounds return 2022 state qualifiers Daniel Sokolik and Ike Thacher. The other qualifier, Jakob McGowan, was lost to graduation.

But the state has changed the format for the state tournament, now allowing the top three finishers in each district qualifier  to advance to Wells Fargo in February, a move Smith is a proponent of.

The state announced the changes on April 27, along with moving the dual tournament up a week and to the Xtreme Arena in Coralville.

"I like it. Over the years we've had some tremendous wrestlers that have come up a little short," he said.

"This will allow some of those kids right on the cusp, like last year in the wrestle-back matches, to get a chance to extend their season another week. If we would have had that last year, we would have taken almost the whole team." Smith said.

Fort Madison would have sent six more wrestlers to state in February had the change been implemented last season.

Junior Teague Smith, who'll start the year at 185 lbs., finished 3rd last year in a nailbiter wrestle back in the qualifier. Smith was ranked several times in the year in the top 10.

He said that will serve as a catalyst this year.

"I learned a lot in that day. It told me that I need to go all out every match," the junior said.

The setback certainly has Smith geared up for this year. He's been wrestling in the offseason and like most on the wrestling squad, was part of the Hounds' playoff-qualifying football team.

"He obviously didn't get where he wanted last year, so he's got a little chip on his shoulder," Ryan Smith said.

Thacher and Sokolik are both looking to get back to the state meet. The two both suffered first-round and first-round consolation losses at Wells Fargo last season.

Sokolik is in his final season as a senior and wants to place this year. But his top goal is to get as close to 50 wins this year as possible.

That would likely put on him on a legacy list of Hound wrestlers with more than 100 wins in their high school career.

"I think I need like 46 or 47 wins and I'm going to push really hard for that," Sokolik said.

"But yeah, I want to get back to state, too, and do my best to medal."

Thacher, who pestered opposing backfields during the football season, wants to place at state this year as well.

Last year at districts, he scored a pinfall with less than 10 seconds left trailing by 10 to take 2nd place at 195 lbs. and advance to Des Moines.

"I've got all the nerves about that out. I've been there and seen the quality (at state). I'll be more prepared this year."

Thacher was ranked 8th at 195 lbs. to open the year. Sokolik is 10th at 285 lbs. Smith is the highest ranked Bloodhound at No. 7 at 182 pounds.

He said he will likely drop down to 170 lbs. after the first couple events.

Sophomore Cory Arnett, who was a bit of a surprise last year, is also looking for another strong showing in 2022-23. Arnett just missed qualifying for state last year as a freshman at 285, losing a heartbreaker in the 2nd place match at districts.

"I was really tired in that match at the start and just wanted to get it over. Then about halfway through, I told myself to start trying to score, and then I really wanted it," he said.

"These coaches have really shown me what it's like to compete and win and now I have my sights set on going to state, placing, and who knows... maybe winning."

Ryan Smith said Arnett has come a long way since last year his first year of wrestling where he placed 3rd at districts, just missing the state tournament.

"So far what I've seen in the room...I've never seen someone pick up quite that fast to be honest with you," Smith said.

"He took a lot of lumps last year being it was his first year ever wrestling. Then at districts, wrestling a returning state qualifier for that true 2nd place and losing by one point."

The Hounds also return Logan and Aidan Pennock. Logan just missed qualifying, taking 3rd last year as a freshman when he didn't get a 2-point control awarded in the final seconds at 120 lbs. Aidan also had a 3rd place finish at districts.

Ryan Smith said it's fairly unusual for the Hounds to not have depth in the lighter weights, so it will be interesting in how the season unfolds there.

"Depth in an issue there," he said.

Gavin Siemens will return at 106. Tatum Schelich should settle in at 113. Noah Swigart could take the varsity spot at 120 and could battle with Schelich there. Logan Pennock will start at 126, with senior Aidan Woolever at 132.

Smith said 138 is a little light, but Calvin Johnson has the inside track along with Nolan Riddle, who just missed qualifying for state last year.  Riddle will start at  145. 

Aidan Pennock could start at 152 and get some challenges from Henry Wiseman and Emmett Kruse, with one of them probably wrestling at 160.  Smith said Joe Hartman could be a wildcard at 160.

The boys open the year Thursday at a dual meet with Quincy on the road before heading to the Independence Tourney in Independence, Iowa.