2005-06 Ki-Be Bears Preview

The Bears lost 5 state wrestlers from last year, the most since 1998. The only difference between that team and this one is that that team had 2 state medalists returning. This year they have only one wrestler who went to state who is returning. With 12 underclassmen this year on the team, it looks like the Bears will be going through another rebuilding year.

The Bears have about 20 guys out for wrestling this year, mostly young, inexperienced guys. They will be led by returning state participant Troy Cunningham who will be looking to get a state medal this year. It looks like Troy will be making a move up to 112 this year.

The Bears will also be helped by the return of a district medalist in Kyle Hagins, a returning wrestler who skipped his sophomore year, Jacob Johans and a first year senior with a lot of middle school experience, Michael Mejia. Hagins came on late last season and should be a force in the CWAC this year. Johans has matured and looks like he is ready to do battle. Mejia may be the surprise of the CWAC this year!

Others to watch according to my source will be Jesse Henderson, Justin Hunt, Daniel Westerfield and Johnny Rivera. According to the source, Rivera is as strong as a bull and the Bears will need him to step it up this year if they want to compete with the rest of the CWAC teams.

There is not much experience on this team but with coaches like Ben Hill and Rich Cunningham, you know that each wrestler will have the best possible chance to compete this year. That is if they committ to what it is going to take to become better.

The first look vasity lineup looks like this:

103 Matt Jewell 9th
112 Troy Cunningham 10th
119 Justin Hunt 11th
125 Jake Johans 11th
130 Kyle Haggins 11th
135 Blaine Nunnamaker 12th
140 Hayden Walsh 10th
145 Sam Landoe 10th
152 Devon Hudspeth 10th
160 Ramon Madrigal 10th
171 Johnny Rivera 11th
189 Mike Mejia 12th
215 Jack Otto 10th
275 Britt Samsil 10th