Ark Valley News - New head coach leads wrestlers

Seniors — Front row: Braeden McKenney, Don Boone, Kaden Lewis. Second row: Chris Gordon, Skyler Metcalf, Tyler Miller, Brett Hamm. Back row: Chase Holle, Kaleb Clubb, Broc Shafer, Sam Weldon, Ethan Bauguess. Not pictured: Isaac Black, Logan Case, Evan Morales, Jacob Wheeler.

New head coach leads wrestlers
By Taylor Messick
Last Updated: December 01, 2016

After a fifth-place team finish with five individual state medalists last season, the Valley Center High School wrestling squad is gearing up and looking to keep the team's strong tradition alive under first-year head coach Tate Lowe.

Lowe is a familiar face for the Hornets after serving as an assistant to former head coach and 19-year veteran Brian Shelton. His staff of assistants will include Jordan Doll, Jeremy LeDuc and Joey Craig. Lowe praised the supportive atmosphere in Valley Center for what he said has been an easy transition.

"It's been really smooth for me," said Lowe. "That boils down to Valley Center, in general. We have an organization — from football, wrestling, baseball, track and across the board — where the administration all gets along and is on the same page. The coaches all have the same goal for our kids and everyone has each other's support. You're not going to find very many situations or opportunities like that."

The team lost a handful of key varsity contributors from last season — Ryan Delforge, Seth Dillman, Tom Adams, Nick Romig and RJ Hoyt. They also return a few former state medalists in Sam Weldon, Chase Holle, Don Boone and Mike Turkali and have a handful more with state experience who want their own shot at some hardware. Lowe is excited about the team and hopes the momentum from a successful football season will carry over to wrestling.

"Any time you have a fall sports season like we had you can expect to have quality athletes and kids with high character," he said. "That's what it takes to have a successful football season like they had and that always helps their motivation for wrestling. They came in hungry and ready to go. It also helps that we have a heavy amount of upper-classmen and they're all great kids on and off the mat. They're willing to take on that leadership role and that's probably been my biggest asset in my transition."

The Hornets will start the season ranked fifth in Class 5A. Eight individual wrestlers are also ranked in their respective weight classes.

Valley Center will kick off the season by hosting the December Duals on Dec. 3.