Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Warsaw wrestling coach Tony Boley isn't taking any excuses along as excess baggage in his trip north to Jimtown High School tonight.
Despite being so banged up that he might have to forfeit two weight classes, Boley is just taking the healthiest team he can field against the No. 17 team in the state in the host Jimmies.
Warsaw's 103-pounder Scott Snyder had surgery on his broken hand and is out of action, along with 130-pounder Greg Patrick, who suffered a concussion in the sectional Saturday. The Tigers' luck doesn't get any better as 171-pounder Marvin Farmer has injured ribs and didn't practice Tuesday, leaving his status for the regional in doubt as well.
"We are really banged up," Boley said, "but we are going to go up there with who we have and give it our all. Our philosophy has always been that we are going to coach who is in there and healthy. That is the best we can do."
Warsaw will forfeit Snyder's 103 spot and could also forfeit Patrick's 130 slot as well. Boley said he might also move Jay Hammer from his 135-pound class to 130 and move freshman Richard Wolfe (0-5) in at Hammer's 135 slot. As of Tuesday, Boley was undecided to what he was going to do.
Farmer's hurt ribs could also put the 171-pound position in question as well. Snyder, Patrick and Farmer have combined for over 65 wins this season.
All this, and the Tigers will be facing the traditionaly-tough Jimmies. Jimtown seems to move its football success over to the mat each season. The Jimmies are led by their 103-pounder, Billy Moyer, who is ranked No. 5 in the state.
"They are good," Boley said. "They are very aggressive. They are very strong right there where we are hurt. It is not something we can do a whole lot about. Traditionally they have been very good. It has taken Coach (Mark) Kerrn about eight years to get to this level."
When looking across the mat at Jimtown, Boley said he hopes to see the future of the Tigers as well.
"We want to get to that next level," he said. "I feel we have already made a jump in the conference and in the sectional, by winning it again. We are headed in the right direction. Once we get our feeder system going, hopefully we will get to that level where we are competing for the conference title every year and one of the top teams in the state. It takes some time."
Warsaw will be paced by two wrestlers who are nearing school records. Robbie Boley (125) has 23 pins this year among his 31 wins and is only one pin away from the school record. Matt Zellers (152) has 161 takedowns, also only one away from the school record.
Warsaw will face Jimtown at 6 p.m. tonight. The other semifinal is between Goshen and Prairie Heights. The winners wrestle in the finals later tonight. The winner of the regional will face the winner of the South Bend Clay regional in the semistate Feb. 11.
Warsaw (14-2) lineup
103 - forfeit
112 - Adam Harter (12-6)
119 - Tim Roe (25-8)
125 - Robbie Boley (31-3)
130 - forfeit
135 - Jay Hammer (11-14)
140 - Aaron Banks (30-6)
145 - Cory Patrick (10-4)
152 - Matt Zellers (29-3)
160 - Chris Wilson (27-6)
171 - Marvin Farmer (20-14)
189 - Steve Fribley (23-10)
215 - Steve McKinley (12-15)
275 - Joe Navarro (15-12)
Jimtown lineup
103 - Billy Moyer
112 - Charles Koecke
119 - Mitch Wolfe
125 - Clint Pontius (13-3)
130 - Scott Hershberger
135 - Ryan McCuddy (33-1)
140 - Ryan Kallimani (35-0)
145 - James Inbody
152 - Adam Johnson
160 - Richard Fisher (21-7)
171 - Chris Smith (10-1)
189 - Eric Fisette (28-5)
215 - Travis Davis
275 - Mark Hurtt
