McHenry, MD – At present, the Lakers more closely resemble a M*A*S*H unit than a wrestling team. Fortunately for the Garrett College wrestling program, head coach John Chambers has always taken the long view.
"I've said since the inception of the program we wrestle for February and March," said Chambers, whose squad earned a share of the 2022 Gulf Atlantic District team championship last February while advancing nine Lakers to the March national championship tournament.
The Lakers' ultimate success will depend on how quickly Chambers' squad can get healthy.
"We're limping into the season," acknowledged Chambers, who has sent 30 wrestlers to nationals since the program's 2018 inception. "Right now I've got four shoulder and two knee injuries that we're nursing."
The Lakers return three sophomores from last year's squad, including reigning 197-pound district champion Elijah Hunter (Hanover HS/Mechanicsville, VA).
"He's results-driven," Chambers said of Hunter. "He wants to become the first two-time district champ in program history. And he's a great student – he's one of our leaders academically as well as athletically."
GC's other two sophomores – Paxton Wertz (Fort Hill HS/Cumberland) and Connor Saladin (Severna Park HS/Annapolis) – finished third in the region at 174 and 285 pounds, respectively.
"I'm expecting a big year out of Paxton," said Chambers, noting the extra work Wertz put in during the offseason.
Of Saladin, Chambers said, "He's a great guy, he works hard and he has goals he wants to obtain this year."
Ethan Doctor (North East HS/Rising Sun) may have the most potential to make an immediate impact among the freshmen.
"Ethan has a very high ceiling and a great opportunity to compete for the top spot in our district at 184 pounds," said Chambers.
Tyler Long (Stephen Decatur HS/Ocean City) looks to make an impact at either 141 or 149 pounds after a high school career at Eastern Shore power Stephen Decatur High School.
"We're expecting Tyler to develop and hopefully make a run at the national tournament," said Chambers.
Chambers said Brody Byrd (Robert C. Byrd HS/Salem, WV) and Conner Hughes (Tuscarora HS/Frederick) are also high-ceiling freshmen. Byrd is a 141-pounder and Hughes will wrestle at 165 or 174 pounds.
"I'm looking for Brody to make a splash in February and March," said Chambers. "Conner doesn't have the match experience right now, but he hasn't missed a workout. As long as he continues to work hard, he will develop throughout the year.
EJ Guy (Keyser HS/Keyser, WV) looks to wrestle at 125 or 133 pounds, with 125 likely the weight at which he can best compete at the district level, according to Chambers.
Four other freshmen – 157/165-pounder Linden Amtoung (Community Based Classroom/Lanham), 125/133-pounder James Bounds (Sonoma Valley HS/Sonoma, CA), 285-pounder Johnathon Jenkins (Hedgesville HS, Hedgesville, WV), and 184/197-pounder Zachary Schoch (Southern Garrett HS/Swanton) – are all battling shoulder injuries.
"James showed some great ability early on in the wrestling room, but I'm not sure we're going to see it this season," lamented Chambers. "Linden, with time in the room, could be a factor at the district level. Johnathon suffered a torn labrum in a freak accident in the wrestling room and we're unsure of the timetable for his return."
Schoch has shown a strong work ethic while battling his shoulder injury.
"The kid knows how to work," said Chambers. "He competes with Elijah and Paxton every day in the room. Iron sharpens iron – as long as he works hard with those two, he's going to get better every day."
Another freshman, 157/165-pounder Tyberious Clayton (Moorefield HS, Moorefield, WV), was recuperating from an ACL surgery this summer when he tore his meniscus. Chambers said it will be a "second-semester decision" on whether he wrestles this year.
"We have a very green team," observed Chambers, who sent seven of last year's wrestlers off to NCAA Division II institutions. "I'm not sure results will be there early on, but I think the results can be there as long as they continue to work as hard as they can when we're in the room."
The Lakers are scheduled to open their season on Saturday at the James Madison Open.
