Squires 2 Wrestlers To Semistate For First Time Since Early '80s

NORTH MANCHESTER - When it comes to wrestling, Manchester High School puts forth a team effort. Even though the team is officially finished for the season, two wrestlers, C.J. Brown and Greg Groombridge, have advanced to semistate, and the entire team is helping them prepare for competition.

"This is the first time we have sent two wrestlers to semistate since the '83-'84 season," said Manchester wrestling coach Pat Powers. "We are very proud of them."

A banner hangs above the door in the wrestling practice room, also known as the "PIT." That banner says, "I will wrestle like a champion today."

Thursday after school, the Manchester wrestling team gathers in the "PIT" to help Brown and Groombridge get their daily workout. Each grappler takes a turn wrestling against the semistate qualifiers in order to help them improve.

For Brown, a senior who is competing in the semistate for the first time, the practices are helping.

"I've never made it out of sectionals," said Brown. "I know there will be quality teams there, but I won't be intimidated or overwhelmed by them."

Groombridge, who made the trip to semistate as a sophomore, expects the competition to be rough and intense.

With the pressure to perform and intense physical exertion, what makes these wrestlers continue?

"Going to the mat knowing you dominated the guy you just beat, and knowing you gave it your all doing it," said Groombridge.

"I like getting pumped up and really intense before you go at it," said Brown. "You can take all your frustrations onto the mat and get them out, and then you get to watch others do the same thing."

Brown has an overall record of 27-7 and will hit the mats in the 125-pound weight class, while the 28-2 Groombridge will battle it out at 189 pounds.

Pairings for area wrestlers

at today's Fort Wayne Semistate

Wrestling starts at 9 a.m.

103 - No area representatives

112 - Nick Roelandts, NorthWood junior, 22-6 vs. Chris Gonzales, Muncie Southside senior, 28-3

112 -ÊJosh DeGood, Wawasee sophomore, 24-7 vs. Josh Berkey, Huntington North junior, 32-6

112 - Adam Harter, Warsaw senior, 32-7 vs Brent Walker, Elwood senior, 32-10

119 - Chet Wortinger, Wawasee senior, 23-1, Bye

125 - C.J. Brown, Manchester senior, 27-7 vs. Jason McClain, Churubusco senior, 23-5

135 - Josh Hooley, Triton senior, 31-3 vs. Jamie Holman, Fort Wayne Northrop sophomore, 17-9

140 -ÊBen Becker, NorthWood senior, 17-6 vs. Chad Kees, Woodlan senior, 21-3

152 -ÊMatt Zellers, Warsaw senior, 34-3, bye

152 - J.J. Davis, Wawasee senior, 28-4, bye

160 - Kevin Carr Wawasee senior, 34-0, bye

160 - Isaac Perry, Warsaw junior, 28-10 vs. Nathan Devore, Alexandria senior, 30-5

171 -ÊDavid Reese, Tippecanoe Valley senior, 28-3 vs. Zac Willis, Peru senior, 30-4

189 - Greg Groombridge, Manchester senior, 28-2 vs Travis Hargis, Muncie Central junior, 26-6

215 -ÊSteve McKinley, Warsaw senior, 30-10 vs. Matt Gualdoni, Fort Wayne Northrop senior, 26-5

275 - Joey Navarro, Warsaw junior, 35-4, bye