Stewart Johnson
The Carroll wrestling program sent seven wrestlers to state in 2020 — five boys and two girls — and four of those state qualifiers return to this year's team. Combining that with a promising group of incoming freshmen gives the Dragons reason to feel optimistic this season.
"This is the most state qualifiers I've ever had on a team," says Joe Hathaway, in his 12th year as Carroll wrestling coach. "Hopefully the second time around, things aren't so big and bright, and they're a little more relaxed and focused on doing well."
Seniors Jack Weill (106-pound class), Cole Bennett (126) and Owen Hollaway (145) reached state for the Carroll boys last season, with Hollaway advancing to the semifinals. The Dragons should also be bolstered by senior Xander Larson, who placed at the regional meet last season.
Lady Dragons' senior Izzy Gonzalez-Luhrs — who recently committed to the University of Saint Mary — is the Carroll girls' lone returning state qualifier after advancing in the 102 weight class. The team will also look to sophomores Kenzy Sobh, a state alternate, and Bayley Trang, who has impressed at national tournaments in recent months.
"I'm excited for this group to get out and compete on a consistent basis because I feel they've made a lot of big strides," Hathaway says.
SEASON RECAP
Most years, the high school wrestling season is in the thick of competition by the time students return from Christmas break. But dealing with the COVID pandemic caused the UIL to delay this year's wrestling's start until March.
Although athletes have been chomping at the bit to hit the mats in competition, Carroll wrestling coach Joe Hathaway says that the later start has proven beneficial in some respects for his team.
"The silver lining to everything getting pushed back is that we have a chance to work with some of our younger athletes and help them develop," says Hathaway, mentioning also how wrestlers who play football haven't missed meets despite Carroll's long playoff run. "The extra time will allow us to really craft our game and see more of a finished product."
The Dragons will need to be as ready as possible, seeing stiff competition throughout the season. At the Rockwall meet, Carroll will grapple with Rockwall, Prosper and Klein, three teams that could all finish in the top 10 at state. At a quad meet hosted by the Dragons, opponents include Timber Creek, Weatherford and Richardson Pearce, all solid programs. Carroll's last regular season home meet is a tri-meet against powerhouse programs Frisco Centennial and district foe Trinity.
District competition is stacked as well, with Trinity, Haltom, Flower Mound and Marcus providing the Dragons' biggest obstacles. Hathaway says his team must be on top of its game for district, due to not only the level of competition but also the UIL reducing postseason qualifiers in each weight class this season from four to two.
"With the condensed format, there's not going to be a lot of room for error," Hathaway says. "Getting on top of the podium and winning in your position is going to put you in a much better position going into region."