Charles Prince

The North Jefferson News



GARDENDALE — If Gardendale wrestling coach Brian Brasseal feels depressed when he looks at this season’s roster, it would be understandable, after all, several Rockets were seniors on the 2006-07 wrestling team. Four of those placed at the state tournament, including two—Chad Bearden and Tripp Otis—who won state titles.

“I started each match expecting those six guys to get us 24 points,” Brasseal said. “That’s a lot of talent to lose off one club.”

Brasseal does have six starters returning from last year’s team, including seniors Derek Hallmark at 125 pounds, and Brandon Painter at 140 pounds. Also back are sophomores DeRon Washington at 152 pounds, Daniel Swann, who will wrestle at 130 this season, after competing at 119 last year, and Brandon Cato at 189 pounds.

Other likely starters for the Rockets include, Bradley Bowan, an eighth grader, will compete at 103, Logan Garner, freshman, will compete at 112, Trevor Durham, a sophomore, will compete at 119 pounds, Austin Grahan, a junior, will compete at 135, Zac Bowan, a sophomore, will be at 145, Andrew Todd, a freshman, will be a 160, Joel Jones, a freshman, will be at 171, Matthew White, a freshman will be at 215 and Robert Becker, a sophomore will be the heavyweight.

“This is a hard-working team,” Brasseal said. “But we need some of them to step up as leaders. We don’t have many seniors, so we need our juniors to step up and be leaders by helping the young guys.”

Brasseal said the Rockets chances of qualifying for the state tournament depend on the development of many of the younger Rocket wrestlers.

“The young guys need to soak up knowledge from the older guys and the older guys need to lead by example,” he said. “We’ve got every weight class filled this season. But, there will be some green guys out there for us.”