Wolves boast enviable depth in middle weight classes | Wrestling preview

He views the depth chart as a bell curve.

South Kitsap wrestling coach Chad Nass has no shortage of depth in the middle weight classes, but not much in the lighter and heavier classifications. Nass does not have anyone in the 113-pound class now.

“We’re pretty green in some of our weights,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll improve as the season goes on.”

Fortunately for the Wolves, they have senior Damien Medeiros, a state-title contender, at 285 pounds. Medeiros placed eighth last season at state.

“That sure is the goal,” Medeiros said. “As a heavyweight, I’m pretty good cardio-wise. I just have to work on new moves and perfecting them.”

Despite a youthful roster last season, South won its eighth straight league tournament championship. Inexperience likely will not be a factor this season — at least in the middle classes — as the Wolves return several upperclassmen, including junior Joel Sherman, who was a runner-up in the league tournament in 2011-12 and could compete at either 126 or 132. Notable seniors include Michael Beard (182), Bryce Broome (170) Ben deLacy (138, 145), Adam Gascoyne (152), Sean Lutovsky (132), Sam Skinner (160) and Illya Tsveytkov (195).

“We’ll have some kids hopefully wrestling on the second day of the state tournament,” Nass said. “It’s a really good group of kids. They’re really hard working.”

The Wolves already have participated in the Auburn Invitational, where Nass said the competition was hindered by losing several top wrestlers to the SAT, but have more opportunities ahead. Other major December competitions include the Olympic Dream Duals and Hammerhead Tournament — both in Silverdale — and the Pacific Coast Tournament at Hudson’s Bay High School in Vancouver.

South might face rival Cougars during either of its upcoming tournaments before the teams meet Dec. 18 at Central Kitsap. Nass said that begins a difficult week where they also wrestle two days later at Bellarmine Prep.

“That will be a really big test for us,” he said.

It might be another match that proves to be the Wolves’ biggest challenge toward maintaining their 20-year streak of dual-league match perfection. South finishes the regular season Jan. 24 at Yelm, which moved up from the 3A classification. The Tornados were the 3A state runner-up last season. South’s 184 consecutive wins in dual-league matches since its last loss against North Thurston in December 1992 could be at risk.

“We’ve got bigger goals than just keeping the streak alive,” Nass said. “It’s certainly not the end of the season if we lose Jan. 24. We still have a month left of wrestling.

For Nass, it has been a discussion point in each of his nine seasons as coach.

“A lot of people from the outside think that’s what we’re all about — keeping the streak alive,” he said. “It’s not that big of a deal. We’ve lost … nonleague matches and we’ve rebounded from them fine.”

Contact Port Orchard Independent Staff Writer Chris Chancellor at cchancellor@portorchardindependent.com or (360) 876-4414.

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