Staying healthy during wrestling season is difficult enough. Add an unknown factor in the mix like the coronavirus and well that puts a new spin on things.
However, the Nation Ford Falcons are healthy and ready to enter the 2020-2021 season with a lot of optimism.
“They are working their tails off,” said Nation Ford head coach Tony Forte. “We should be able to fill the entire line up.”
The Falcons have 16 in their starting rotation and should be able to fill every weight class. They have two seniors on this year’s team including state qualifier Steven Johnson (152) and Ryan deLeon (195).
Nation Ford is coming off a season where they missed the playoffs and had just one state qualifier in Johnson. Forte said that has to change this year.
“I think we will surprise a few people,” he said. “We have to send more than one to the state tournament.”
The Falcons have at least five, possibly six, freshmen in their starting lineup to go with seven sophomores and one junior. Nation Ford has to finish in the top two in Region 3-5A to make it to the dual playoffs.
Nation Ford opens the season Monday, Dec. 14 at two-time defending 3A state champion Indian Land, who is now in 4A this season. They will host five home matches with duals against Clover, Catawba Ridge, Fort Mill and Rock Hill and a tri-match with Lancaster and Blythewood.
The Falcons also have a quad-match on the road Dec. 19 at Lexington as their only other match this month after opening against Indian Land. They aren’t scheduled to attend any individual or dual tournaments this season. Nation Ford comes back from the winter break hosting Clover Jan. 5 and then hosting the tri-match Jan. 9. The Falcons host Catawba Ridge Jan. 16 and then Fort Mill Jan. 26.
Nation Ford still has yet to beat rival Fort Mill on the wrestling mat at the varsity level and that is something Forte said he wants to accomplish this year.
“They are on our radar,” he said.
The individual region tournament is at Fort Mill Jan. 30 and the dual playoffs are scheduled in early February. The Falcons are also hosting the 5A Upper State tournament this year Feb. 26 and 27.
Schedules are subject to change at a moment’s notice given the influence the coronavirus has on high school sports this season.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
