Steve Mason, Oglethorpe County High School's varsity boys wrestling coach, is looking for production from his returning wrestlers after a strong first season.
After a 21-6 record in his first season as the Oglethorpe County boys wrestling coach, Steve Mason must turn elsewhere for production.
“We have approximately 30 young men, but a lot of new wrestlers, a lot of them that have actually never wrestled before,” he said.
Last season, Mason’s squad was led by senior Miles Mason (his son), who graduated in May, and Paris Crowder, who is a junior.
“Overall, even the returners have been able to rely on some of the upperclassmen in the past, and now our returners are the ones that the younger guys are looking to,” Mason said.
Miles Mason and Crowder were the only two who placed at the state tournament last year. Mason was fourth in his weight class, his third time placing at state. He is now wrestling at Truett McConnell University.
Crowder placed sixth, and is 2-for-2 placing at state.
The only other returner who has placed at state is senior Kendon Brown, who was fifth as a freshman.
Mason is looking at those two for leadership and production on the mat this season.
“Paris and Kendon are going to have to be big-time leaders for us and point scorers,” he said.
As Mason said, this year’s squad is young and inexperienced, relying heavily on returners, no matter their production level.
“I tell you what, this year, we’re going to simplify and get really good at a few things, and go out there and compete hard,” he said. “I think if we do that, we’ll be just fine.”
The Patriots are 1-1 in dual meets, but haven’t had their full squad in two tournaments. Crowder and others were on the football team, which just ended its season.
Despite the uncertainty and the unproven wrestlers, Mason’s expectations remain the same.
“The goals always stay high. The standard stays high,” he said. “The class A state tournament is the deepest of all the classes in Georgia. Our goal there with the team we have is to be top 10 or better in the individual tournament, and our goal would be to qualify to the state duals.”
He’s excited about watching the team’s improvement this season.
“I think what it’s going to be is seeing the way they grow throughout the season,” Mason said. “And I’ll say this, they’re good kids. They’re fantastic young men.”