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SJ wrestlers prepare for post-season
With his team in a district with state powerhouse Fauquier and a region with the likes of Forest Park and Colonial Forge, Stonewall Jackson wrestling coach Scott LaRochelle is well aware of the challenges his boys have ahead of them in the post-season.That being said, he still sees no reason why at least a trio of his wrestlers cannot make it to states, while a few others at least tally some post-season wins.
“We’ve gotten a lot better, for one thing," he said. "We’ve got three seniors that are going to do real well this year.”
In the 140-pound class, Luke Olsen is sporting an 8-2 record against Cedar Run District opponents heading into this weekend’s district playoffs at Loudoun Valley.
Six of his wins have come by pins, and his two losses came against Neil McGuire of Fauquier and Adam Guggenburger from emerging-force Battlefield.
Olsen has refined his top-game this year after making an appearance in states during the 2007-08 season.
LaRochelle gives some credit for the senior’s improvements to the team having a five-man coaching staff at Stonewall instead of just one person.
Because of that, Olsen and others have been able to receive more one-on-one time from those in the know.
“His skill level has increased tremendously,” said LaRochelle.
After starting the season 0-2, 145-pounder Mevil Rodriguez has turned his season around well enough to put together seven wins in eight matches against district opponents.
“He’s just a hard-working kid. He stays in the room later than anybody. He shows up early and leaves late,” said LaRochelle.
The senior was hampered by an injury going into this past weekend’s matches against Madison and Fairfax.
According to LaRochelle, Rodriguez should be back in shape at districts, and the coach said he wanted to focus practices this week on “taking our time and going easy” so wrestlers like Rodriguez had a chance to recover.
After competing at a national tournament in Fargo, N.D., last year, 160-pounder Rodin Nandula (4-0 district) knows just what it takes to win.
“I think he’s sees the level of competition required to be a champion," LaRochelle said. "You see the level of competition, you see the quality of wrestler out there, and it really gives you a chance to sit back and think about what you need to do to get to that level of competition, what you need to do to compete at the national level.”
Though a 1-2 showing is usually nothing to boast about, the fact that the senior Nandula, who is now returning from injury, even pulled a win against national competition is, “believe it or not, not too bad,” according to the coach.
Though the three seniors are expected to be at the core of Stonewall’s post-season success, LaRochelle mentioned some up-and-comers that have impressed him so far.
Sophomore Tyler Brown managed to close the regular season with a winning 6-4 record inside the district and faced nominal competition in securing two wins this past weekend.
What really stood out to LaRochelle about the 130-pounder was on the road in Lancaster, Penn. two weeks earlier.
“He did extremely well against some tough talent up there. He doesn’t stop; once Tyler gets on the mat, he just… goes,” said the coach.
A surprise player for LaRochelle is 112-pounder Hoa Bhin.
The first-year wrestler is in what is perhaps the toughest weight class in the state, as 103-pound state champion Beau Martino of Battlefield and state-runner-up Ryan Hunsberger of Fauquier are both not just in the same region, but in the same district.
Naturally, LaRochelle does not expect his rookie to make a run at states, but he could see him pulling out at least one win.
“He never had any wrestling experience, and he has just brought sheer determination,” said the coach, who said Bhin is “highly critical of himself.”
LaRochelle is the second Stonewall coach to announce his retirement since the winter season began, joining girls volleyball coach Matt Haymen.
The wrestling head coach plans to stay active with the team once his tenure at the top is done, as he wants to focus developing younger or newer athletes.
A prime example is 152-pounder Jeff Hoglan, who started the season winless but earned “Wrestler of the Week” honors at Stonewall two weeks ago after lacing together three victories at the Hopewell tournament.
Entering his final post-season as head coach, LaRochelle wants to go out with a bang.
“I’m hoping we do real well,” he said. “It depends on what type of team shows up right now.”
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