Lyman wrestling team young, but experienced

Don Cogger, Herald Sports Editor
Posted 12/10/19

Lyman wrestling season to kickoff this week

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Lyman wrestling team young, but experienced

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The 2018-19 season was a productive one for the Lyman High School wrestling team, with a ninth-place state finish in a very competitive Class 3A. The Eagles had a handful of state placers in a variety of weight classes, led by a state championship at 106 pounds from Sefton Douglass.

Practice for the 2019-20 campaign began in earnest a couple of weeks ago, and LHS head coach Travis Ayres said he’s excited for what the season will bring.

“Things are going good, we have a good group of kids,” Ayres said. “Our numbers are pretty much where they have been the last few years, right around 25. And it helps that everyone has someone to wrestle in practice that’s right around their weight class and talent level.”

The Eagles didn’t graduate any seniors from last year’s squad, so the team is loaded with varsity experience. That said, Ayres said there are a handful of kids who played a part in last season’s success who decided not to participate this year.

“That hurts a little bit,” he said. “But this year we have seven seniors, and really, all the kids we have, they’re hungry and wanting to get after it. They want to accomplish a lot. It’s exciting as a coach to see that in them, I don’t have to provide a lot of extra motivation. It’s all coming from them at this point.”

Douglass had an exceptional freshman campaign at 106 pounds, posting a 44-3 record en route to his first state championship. Ayres said he’s excited to have Douglass back, though a serious off-season injury will sideline the sophomore for at least the first few events of the season.

“He’s coming back really quick, which is nice,” said Ayres of Douglass. “He’s going to take a little bit of time. He’s practicing right now, but we’re going to hold off letting him compete, at least until the beginning of next year, make sure that arm doesn’t give him any problems. But he should be competing for another state title this year.”

Hagen Lamoreaux placed third at state last season as a junior at 138 pounds, and Ayres said the senior is poised to have a great final season.

“Hagen is a four-time state placer for us, but he’s missed that state championship,” Ayres said. “We’re hoping he’ll get that this season — he wrestled in the finals as a freshman, so I know getting back to that final match is something he’s really shooting for.”

Fellow senior Matt Wolford flew in under the radar last season to finish fourth at state, posting a 27-19 record.

“Matt surprised a lot of people last year to place that high at state,” Ayres said. “He’s really talented, one of the bigger guys on our team.”

Sophomore Chaz Condos also finished fourth at state, joining Douglass at 106 pounds. The other five seniors Ayres will rely on for leadership this season include Brendan Martin, Connor Collins, Garrett Maxfield, Hunter Gines and Richie Brewer.

“We’re pretty solid with a lot of talent, we just need to get spread out,” said Ayres, now entering his eighth year with the program, his fourth as head coach. “We get a lot of kids who are right around the same weight. Heavyweight will be open, and we might have to bump a kid up here and there at 195 or 182. We’ll do some adjusting.”

The Eagles will open the 2019-20 season this weekend at the Evanston Invitational, and Ayres said he’s optimistic that his team will make some noise in the 3A West.

“It’s hard to compete with the depth that Star Valley and Powell, some of the bigger teams in our region have every season,” he said. “But I think a top four state placer is definitely within our grasp this year. Staying healthy will be the biggest thing, but if we can bring home a trophy from regionals and state, that will be a pretty successful season for us.”