For Van Buren grapplers, quality beats quantity

The Warrior wrestling team might be down in numbers, but that doesn?t mean they are down in talent this winter.

In fact, despite only having 11 athletes in preseason practices, head coach Richard Daugherty expects to see some great individual success in his fifth season at Van Buren.

?We have 11 pretty good kids. They?re a good group,? said Daugherty. ?They?re all pushing each other to better themselves and working good as a whole team, which is all you can ask for on a small team.?

The 11 wrestlers are also fairly spread out in weight and hope to wrestle at 11 different spots by midseason. The near-complete lineup should go a long way toward helping the Warriors compete in duals, but like last season, they?ll be a team built for tournaments.

The young squad returns two of three district-qualifiers from last year ? it lost state-qualifer Zach Corman to graduation ? along with nearly the rest of the lineup. At 182 pounds, Curtis Thomas headlines the list of returnees and is Van Buren?s only senior. Thomas is one of the returning district-qualifiers and looks primed for even more success.

?With Curtis he?s our lone senior and I?m expecting good leadership from him,? Daugherty said. ?I see him having a real good year.?

Jacob Heisel is the other returning district-qualifier and is itching to make the jump to the state tournament for the first time. The junior will look to reclaim his spot at 126 pounds as he carries even more confidence into 2013.

?He?s seen what his potential is and I see him having a pretty decent year,? said Daugherty.

Junior Mitch Garrels (195) and sophomore Hunter Coffman (138) could also join their teammates in making postseason noise after having modest success on the mat last year.

Additionally, Unity Daugherty is back at 106 pounds, Tyler Runyon is Van Buren?s 113-pounder and Colton Putnam is aiming for the 120 spot. The lineup?s only freshman, Sheldon DeWitt is at 132 pounds. Jesse Fuller (145), Sam Dickinson (152) and Dakota LaRue (170) also return to round out the lineup.

?We have several kids who won?t win tournaments, but together be a big boost for us. They all have the drive, so it makes for a good team,? Daugherty added.

The Warriors opened the season Thursday at home against Albia and Eddyville. They?ll be back in action Saturday at Pekin?s annual tournament.