Redmond High School (RHS) wrestling coach Paul Mullen wasn’t happy with his 2008-09 turnout of 35 wrestlers this time last year.
He was left scratching his head this year, however, after turning out just 28 and only three seniors after graduating a crop of upperclassmen last season.
“I don’t like to use the term “rebuilding year,” Mullen said, “But it’s a year where it’s not the same as it has been. I think part of it is the $275 (athletic participation fee).”
Even with a small and largely inexperienced roster, Mullen does return some talented wrestlers who will look to make a splash in the 4A Kingco season and postseason.
The team captains, senior Tyler Black and junior Catherine Kelly, have the best chance of making a Class 4A state-tournament bid.
Black is the defending Kingco champ wrestling at 171 and has had a great run to start the 2009-10 season wrestling at 189.
“He’s back, he’s a captain, and he’s working pretty hard,” Mullen noted. “He’s undefeated in duals and at the (Decatur Invitational) he took second. “Kelly is the team’s only returner with state experience, having began the year at 119 but will wrestle at 112 for the remainder of the season.”
Mullen admitted that, like last season, he is really bunched up in weights around 145-152 and also 189-215 with no true heavyweights, but was able to fill out the precious lightweight spots to avoid costly forfeits.
“I have a kid that’s cleared to wrestle at 103, so I’ll at least be able to cover every (class) with a body after winter break,” he said. “I’m just going to be playing some games with those heavier weights and maybe forfeiting some heavyweight matches when the kid’s just huge compared to my guys.”
The Mustangs also have sophomore Brandon Long, the younger brother of former wrestlers Jason and Trevor, the latter being a fourth-place finisher at state in 2008. The Mustangs were also fortunate to pick up Bellevue Christian transfer Nathan Michel, who has been sick but looks to come back healthy in 2010.
“He’ll be in the mix,” said Mullen of Michel. “He’s a very strong, athletic-looking kid.”
As for his goals with his young squad, Mullen just looks to advance as many as possible to the postseason, and have Kelly improve on her 1-2 record at state this year.
“I’d like to advance Catherine, who was a state participant last year, so our goal is to get her back, and possibly place,” Mullen explained. “We’re getting her into more weightlifting to get her stronger.”
But when asked about what it will take for the Mustangs to have success in 4A Kingco this year with the powerhouse Northshore teams Bothell, Inglemoor and Woodinville turning out strong teams as usual, Mullen didn’t try to sugarcoat the situation.
“To be honest, we’re going to have to get lucky,” he said. “This year we just want to get better each day… we’ve got a lot of work ahead, but we’ll just try to have a good work ethic and see what we can do. We’ve got good kids, they’re all working hard, and we’ve got some talent.”
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• COACH: Paul Mullen, 17th year
• LAST SEASON: 7-3, 5th place in 4A Kingco, 7-4 overall
• 2009 TURNOUT: 28
TOP RETURNERS (name, weight class)
• Sr. Tyler Black, 189/215: 2009 Kingco champ at 171 has filled out his frame. Tremendous work ethic.
• Jr. Catherine Kelly, 112: Redmond’s first female wrestler made state last year and fills a very important weight class to avoid forfeits.
• Jr. Tim Baker, 135/140: Advanced to regional qualifying last season, a solid wrestler who will add depth.
• Sr. James Larson, 160: Didn’t see much time on the mat as an underclassman, but will make an impact this year at the middleweight level.
KEY NEWCOMERS (name, weight class)
• Soph. Brandon Long, 140/145: Younger brother of former Mustang wrestlers Jason and Trevor Long was a Kingco champ at the junior high level.
• Jr. Nathan Michel, 189: Transfer from Bellevue Christian. Excellent all-around athlete also ran track for the Vikings.
KEY MEET
• Jan. 5 vs. Inglemoor and Woodinville: The Mustangs open up their 2010 schedule with a tough double-dual against two of the premiere programs in the league, and have another double-dual the next day no less.
DID YOU KNOW?
Catherine Kelly, the first female wrestler in the history of the Mustangs’ wrestling program, was one of three athletes representing Redmond at Mat Classic XXI, the 4A state tournament, last season.
