Wrestling coach continues to look for improvement

MEEKER I “It’s good to have the room full,” Meeker High School wrestling coach J.C. Watt said of the 23 wrestlers out for the team and practicing in the wrestling room.
Watt is in his third year at the helm and will have more volunteer coaches this season to help fill the wrestling room too, and that also excites Watt.
Of the 23 out for the team, many return with varsity experience, six return with state tournament experience, where three won medals, including one gold.

Seniors Willis Begaye, Kelly Denny, J.C. Henderson and Calvin Shepherd are all back for their final year. Begaye returns after an injury ended his season early last year, Denny wrestled as a freshman, Henderson finished fifth at the state tournament and Shepherd returns with varsity experience after joining the team as a sophomore.
“All are hard workers, which sets a good example for the other kids,” coach Watt said.
Meeker junior Tristin Pelloni also placed fifth in the “Big Show,” and classmates Anthony Watt and Kylloe Goedert also return with state experience as do sophomores Devon Pontine and Meeker’s defending state champion T.J. Shelton.
Watt said several kids will be competing for varsity spots, and he knows the competition will make his program better.
“We have a lot of middle-weight kids and we are going to end up with some pretty good kids on JV, but everyone will improve because of it,” Watt said of the competition in the room.
Barney LeBlanc will be Watt’s assistant this season and veteran assistant Lee Overton will be a volunteer assistant as will Brian Merrifield, Carl Padilla, Willy Theos and Tyrell Turner.
“I’m excited about all the help,” Watt said of his assistants. “The kids should get some good instruction and continue to improve.”