As published in the Madison Press on Jan.21, 2010
Solid as a rock.
>
> This phrase describes the lineup of the Jonathan Alder
> wrestling program.
>
> The Pioneers have been in four tournaments this year and
> they have won them all. Next up is the Jonathan Alder
> Invitational, this Saturday.
>
> "We're hoping to win this week" said Coach Ron Thomas
> Sr. The Pioneers haven't kept the big trophy for the
> last three years.
>
> In order to capture their own title, the Pioneers will have
> to be the best of an 11 team field, including Athens and
> Licking Valley. These teams finished 1-2-3 last year.
>
> "Athens has won the last two years, and Licking Valley has
> everyone back, and they will both be tough", commented
> Thomas.
>
> Jonathan Alder and Athens squared off earlier in the year
> in a Dual meet format, with Alder coming away with the win,
> by a 48-22 score.
>
> The field also includes Lakewood, North Union, Centennial,
> Independence, Mifflin, Franklin Heights, Mt. Gilead and
> Delaware Christian.
>
> Alder is currently the 2nd ranked team in Division 2 of the
> Central District. Amazingly, only two Pioneers are
> ranked in the top 3 of their respective weight
> classes. Conner Blacka is currently the 3rd ranked 112
> pound wrestler, and Bobby Blankenship is 2nd at 189 pounds.
>
> The Pioneers only have one vacant slot, which is at 103
> pounds. The rest of the lineup is "solid".
>
> Blacka has a record of 19-2, and has won at North Union and
> Northridge. Blacka was a District Qualifier last year, and
> will try to repeat as the JA Invitational champ.
>
> 119 pounder, Justin Picklesimon, sports a 13-9 record.
>
> Ben Robinson (7-11) will compete at 125 pounds.
>
> Jacob Eye is even for the year (11-11), and will be at 130
> pounds.
>
> Quintin Rigney (19-4) won the 135 class at North Ridge, and
> was a District Qualifer last season.
>
> Kyle Peterman (11-2) will be wrestling at 140 pounds.
> Peterman is a returning Invitational Champ, and a District
> Qualifier last year. This year he has won the North
> Union and Northridge tournaments.
>
> 145 pounder Vince Palmer is 11-2 for the year. Palmer
> finished 1st at Northridge this season and was a District
> Qualifier last season.
>
> Chris Baker is 14-3 in the 152 pound class. Baker won
> at Northridge.
>
> Kyle Baugess (14-6), at 160, was also a District Qualifier
> last season.
>
> At 171 pounds, Evan Riley, has an 18-4 record and won at
> both North Union and Northridge.
>
> Blankenship sports the best record on the team at
> 21-2. He was a Ditrict Qualifier last season, and has
> won at North Union and Northridge. He was also named the
> Most Valuable Wrestler at the Big Walnut duals.
>
> Beau Green (18-6) will wrestle at 215 pounds. Green
> placed 1st at Northridge.
>
> Mike Fooce (15-10) will wrestle in the 285 pound class.
>
> To demonstrate how "solid" the lineup is, the Pioneers will
> also have 11 more wrestlers that will take the mat if there
> are openings. Two of these wrestlers, Steven
> Picklesimon (11-2) at 140 pounds, and Cody McSurley (10-2)
> at 135 pounds were District Qualifiers last year but can't
> crack the starting lineup this season.
>
> The rest of the Jonathan Alder lineup includes: Andy Fooce
> (14-0) at 152 pounds, TJ Beach (9-2) at 145 pounds, Luke
> Foster (8-3) in the 160 class, Nate Will (8-2) at 160,Tyler
> Fraley (1-6) in the 152 class, Shane Barker (6-4) at 171
> pounds, Darrian Reasoner (7-3) in the 215 class, Dustin
> Kuhlwein (8-8) at 285 pounds and Tyler Dixon (8-4) also at
> 285.
>
> The action starts at 10AM, and the finals are expected to
> start after 4PM. The wrestlers will be split into 5 man
> pools, and the winners of each pool will wrestle for 1st
> place, second place in each pool will wrestle for 3rd
> place,and so on.
>
> Check Tuesday's Madison Press for the tournament results.