With an increased number of participants this year, the Nation Ford Falcons wrestling team should have a depth on their bench that they have not usually seen.
Nation Ford head coach Bret Peltier describes his team as “super young,” with only six seniors on the team, his roster is made up of mostly freshman and sophomores.
“We have had a real big influx,” Peltier said. “We are getting more kids. We have 36 on our roster, which is the most we have had in our program.”
Peltier said the youth and the increased numbers is laying the groundwork for the future of the Nation Ford program.
“We have a lot of kids in our youth and middle school program and those kids are going to trickle up to the high school program,” he said. “That is how you build a program. That is how you become one of the better teams in the state like a Hillcrest, Fort Mill, Clover. Teams like that which are super good.”
Peltier said he is looking for mental toughness and physicality on the mat from his team this season.
“Kids that will do whatever it takes to win,” he said. “I don’t expect to go 25-2 this season. That is not realistic. I expect us to be over .500 and compete in matches and be in matches and have a chance to win.”
Peltier said his team is pushing the pace and is improving daily. He said the group is coming together and bonding.
This year’s team is made up of wrestlers such as seniors Mitchell Ladamus, who brings back veteran leadership, along with Dalton Curtsinger, Todd Linquist, and Jacob Moore, to go along with junior Danny Gilstorf.
“Danny, Mitch, Todd, those are your workhorses,” Peltier said. “I expect big things from them. Same thing with Dalton. He looks good. I expect big things from him too.”
Nation Ford opens the regular season on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at the Venom Duals.
The Falcons will have a tough Region 3-5A schedule with teams like Fort Mill and Rock Hill being in their region. The Nation Ford schedule includes four dual tournaments as well as individual tournaments such as the Ram Invite at Hillcrest, Bearcat Invitational at Rock Hill.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
