Wrestling team young but talented

Billy Drown

Published: Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

Despite having a young team, Custer High School wrestling coach, Eric Pingrey, doesn’t think youth will be a negative factor this wrestling season. “We are a young team, a very good young team,” he said. “Basically the core of the team ranges from seventh to 10th grade. That is where our strength lies. We are a very age appropriately talented team.” Pingrey does know that such a young varsity team could be a bit of a hinderance, though. “It will be tough though, when we do compete with seasoned teams,” Pingrey said. “I think then our inexperience will hurt us.  A new batch of up-and-coming wrestlers help fill the roster this year. Pingrey said he looks forward to working with these kids over the years. “These new kids are an athletic bunch. They have been picking up on wrestling great so far. If they stick with it, I see them being very solid this year and in the years to come,” said Pingrey. Pingrey, in his seventh year of coaching, sees two standouts from last year, Zach Wager and Soren Wahlstrom.  “They are hard working kids. Zach and Soren are good human beings on and off the mat. They are two great kids who are a joy to coach,” said Pingrey.  Wahlstrom is a freshman, and Wager a sophomore.  When asked what the ultimate goal is for this year, Pingrey said that was hard to answer.  “Wrestling is an individual sport. Realistically each kids has their own goals,” he said. “So, if I had to say what our main goal is, I would say that I hope each kid reaches their own goal this year.” Even though the season just started, Pingrey and the other coaches have already been facing a daunting challenge. Wrestling roster numbers have been on a decline the past few years. “Just getting kids out for wrestling is a challenge,” he said. “Walking the halls of the high school or middle school you see so many kids that would be an asset to the wrestling squad. That’s a frustration every year.” Pingrey said he thinks that students don’t want to go out for wrestling because it is too hard of work.  “It is hard work. You don’t just come play wrestling. You have to train hard and some kids are uncomfortable with that,” he said. “Kids that do wrestle, though, are a different breed. When the kids that did compete in wrestling leave high school, there isn’t much they can’t do.” Making up the varsity team this year is Soren Wahlstrom 112, Josh Behlings 119, Mark Shorb 125, Teddy Tatge 125 or 131, Billy Alexander 130, Zach Wager 145, Kyle Harken 152, Tyler Eisland 152, Tony Crackel 152, Tanne Eisland 160 and Ty Cooper 171. Even with a young team, Pingrey sees this season as a successful one.  “Would I like to have a team full of seniors whom I have trained for the past 10 years? Absolutely. But at the same time, these young kids who will be taking the mat for Custer this year are passionate about wrestling. They want to be out there. That is all I ask for,” said Pingrey. Co-head coaching with Pingrey is Jared Webster. Assistant coach duties fall on Derek Booker.