Tiger wrestling program looks to repeat as conference champs
In only its third year of existence, the Cowley College wrestling team achieved a top-15 national ranking and captured the Jayhawk Conference title by going unbeaten at the Jayhawk Duals. The Tigers will look to build off of its strong 2019-2020 campaign as they enter into an unknown 2021 season.
"I just want to be able to compete," Cowley head coach Beau Vest said after having the start of the wrestling season moved from November to January.
"In this crazy year, you would be amazed how smooth it has been for us," Vest said. "A lot of the credit goes to the returning guys."
Austin Kincaid competed at nationals as a freshman and highlights the list of returning athletes for the Tigers. Also, back for the Tigers are a pair of wrestlers that have national experience from two years ago, in sophomores Jake Patterson and Jesse Nunez.
Darius Hamilton, who transferred to Cowley, was a national qualifying wrestler at Northwest Kansas Tech two seasons ago.
"He's a tough guy and will help us on the mat," Vest said. "I am excited about the depth and options we have and feel we have a good mix of freshmen and sophomores."
Fellow sophomore Tyler Bingham also performed well as a freshman and was one match away from qualifying for nationals despite having to move from the 174 pound weight class to 197 pounds at the regional tournament.
Corwin Strachan was another Tiger that was only one match away from qualifying for nationals during the 2019-2020 season. Other sophomores on the team are, Ariston Bartley, Jamal Miller, Jr., Ryan Parks, Montez Robinson, Brayden Strachan, and Trevor Summit.
"The sophomores know how we do things in our program," Vest said. "You have more team unity when you have that kind of sophomore leadership."
Cowley will have to make up for the loss of Ottis Peeler, who finished as the national champion in the 184-pound weight class.
Vest believes with the sophomores he returns and the athletes he recruited, Cowley should be a national contender once again.
Freshman Ryan Smith, a three-time state champion at Perry (OK) High School, and Matthew Santos, a two-time state champ at Lawton Macarthur High School, are among the top newcomers on the squad.
"We have some impact guys that are ready to step in and score points right away," Vest said.
Other freshmen on the team are, Nathan Adamson, Nicholas Bahm, Brennan Cantrell, Dayton Cary, Dalton Collins, Braxton Dale, Dorian Franklin, Ethan Gilkey, Jaden James, Ryan Locke, Gavin Lough, JaCorey Miller, Mario Perez, William Richardson, Mikey Riley, Alex Rodriguez, Trevor Shook, Sage Smart, Colby Strachan, Jarod Thompson, Austin Thornton, Dylan West, and Kanden Young.
"I feel we brought in a really good group of young guys," Vest said. "Along with some state champions, we got some guys we feel were overlooked by other schools. I have been impressed with the freshmen. There are some guys that are poised to step up and have big careers at Cowley."
Cowley will open the season at the Barton/Labette Dual at 4 p.m. January 26.
"We want to build off what we did last year, repeat as conference champs, and stay up with those top programs," Vest said. "I believe we have the ability to go up against anybody in the country."