By Travis Smola
Vicksburg’s wrestling program is in the midst of another rebuilding year, but the future has some bright spots. The team hasn’t won a conference match yet this season and is sitting at the .500 mark. But they are hoping the winter break will help with healing some injuries.
New head coach Jeff Mohney takes over after a year as Ed Knapp’s assistant during Knapp’s one-year return to the program last season. While the team still isn’t filling all the weight classes, it does have a lot of younger wrestlers competing.
At the White Pigeon Invitational, the Bulldogs enjoyed a strong showing against Parchment, Berrien Springs and Marcellus. Wrestlers like junior JT Dee and senior DJ Bullock each had some particularly exciting matchups.
The Bulldogs got down early to White Pigeon, but nearly made an exciting comeback on the strength of their heavier weight classes.
Mohney, who wrestled for Ed Knapp back in the 80s, said he has three goals he wants the wrestlers to focus on this season. First, he wants them to each work on getting better individually every day. Then he wants them to help their teammates get better. Third, he wants the wrestlers to have fun.
“I’m not just teaching wrestling,” Mohney said. “I’m trying to build leaders.”