Southern_Hospitality
01-25-2007, 04:38 PM
JERSEYVILLE - Ryan Whited's wrestling life as a light heavyweight is more gratifying than his previous one as a heavy lightweight.
It's a better fit and quite fascinating. Just ask the Jersey senior, a terror on the mats thus far this season.
Whited, owner of a 27-1 record, including 25 consecutive victories, puts his winning streak on the line Saturday in the Mississippi Valley Conference Tournament at Triad. Grappling gets going at 9 a.m. in Troy. It's dual matches for the six MVC teams.
"My goal is to win it," the 230-pound Whited said. He has made winning a good habit in the 285-pound class this season.
After losing to Ricky Naylor of Civic Memorial in his third match of the season, Whited has gone untouched since Dec. 2. He has recorded 19 pins during his long winning streak, including one of Naylor in multi-school competition at Alton.
When Jersey and CM clash on Saturday, look for Whited and Naylor to square off for honors as the Valley's top heavyweight. Whited finished third as a sophomore heavyweight in the MVC extravaganza, but didn't place in the 2006 competition.
"Ryan has worked liked a madman this year, especially during the off-season," Jersey coach Frank Speidel said. "He's a lot smarter and stronger than he was last year. And he's very quick."
Changing weight classes has bolstered Whited's record and boosted his confidence.
"I had to wrestle at 215 last year, but I'm better wrestling at 285 this year," he said. "I knew if I worked hard enough, I could have a good (senior) year."
As a junior, Whited didn't quite settle in at 215. The standout Jersey football lineman was constantly concerned about making wrestling weight. "I like to eat," he quipped.
Speidel bumped him to the heaviest weight class this season and the results speak for themselves.
"I think Ryan was just above .500 wrestling at 215 last year, but he really has been on fire this year," Speidel said. "Going up to 285 has something to do with it, but he has become a tougher kid, too. He has done a lot of lifting."
Whited said, "I did a lot more work in the weight room and I'm stronger than I was last year. I can bench press 325-to-330 pounds and last year it was more like 260 pounds."
Whited's dad, Dennis, a former wrestler at Carrollton High and state qualifier in 1976, has supplied plenty of incentive. "He has been very inspirational all the way through," Ryan said. "He helps get me ready for my matches."
Some of Whited's foes can attest to his readiness. He comes prepared. Six of Whited's pins have taken less than 60 seconds, including a five-second fall against Mount Olive. It was one of the quickest pins in recorded IHSA history.
Joe Cordes of Clifton Central holds the heavyweight record with a four-second pin in 1985. Tom Kaczor of St. Charles Valley Lutheran stuck an opponent in a state-record three seconds during a match in January of 1977.
"Ryan's one of the top three of four wrestlers we've had since I've been here," said Speidel, completing his eighth year as Jersey's coach. "He has really come on this season. It's because of his lifting and that he has taken his role seriously as the team captain. He has been a leader."
One of Whited's goals is to lead the Panthers as far as they can go. Teammate James Crone (125) also should be a contender Saturday for a Valley championship.
"I can't wait for Saturday," said Whited, looking down the road. "I want to win the conference championship, do well in the regional and sectional and go on to state."
Class AA regional wrestling is set for East Alton-Wood River High, followed by a sectional at Chatham Glenwood. The two-class state finals are housed at the University of Illinois Assembly Hall in Champaign.
"If I can get to state, then I want to give it my best shot," said Whited, angling to wrestle, play football or do both in college next season. "I like both football and wrestling, but wrestling is different training because you have to depend upon yourself. That's what I like about it," Whited said.
It's a better fit and quite fascinating. Just ask the Jersey senior, a terror on the mats thus far this season.
Whited, owner of a 27-1 record, including 25 consecutive victories, puts his winning streak on the line Saturday in the Mississippi Valley Conference Tournament at Triad. Grappling gets going at 9 a.m. in Troy. It's dual matches for the six MVC teams.
"My goal is to win it," the 230-pound Whited said. He has made winning a good habit in the 285-pound class this season.
After losing to Ricky Naylor of Civic Memorial in his third match of the season, Whited has gone untouched since Dec. 2. He has recorded 19 pins during his long winning streak, including one of Naylor in multi-school competition at Alton.
When Jersey and CM clash on Saturday, look for Whited and Naylor to square off for honors as the Valley's top heavyweight. Whited finished third as a sophomore heavyweight in the MVC extravaganza, but didn't place in the 2006 competition.
"Ryan has worked liked a madman this year, especially during the off-season," Jersey coach Frank Speidel said. "He's a lot smarter and stronger than he was last year. And he's very quick."
Changing weight classes has bolstered Whited's record and boosted his confidence.
"I had to wrestle at 215 last year, but I'm better wrestling at 285 this year," he said. "I knew if I worked hard enough, I could have a good (senior) year."
As a junior, Whited didn't quite settle in at 215. The standout Jersey football lineman was constantly concerned about making wrestling weight. "I like to eat," he quipped.
Speidel bumped him to the heaviest weight class this season and the results speak for themselves.
"I think Ryan was just above .500 wrestling at 215 last year, but he really has been on fire this year," Speidel said. "Going up to 285 has something to do with it, but he has become a tougher kid, too. He has done a lot of lifting."
Whited said, "I did a lot more work in the weight room and I'm stronger than I was last year. I can bench press 325-to-330 pounds and last year it was more like 260 pounds."
Whited's dad, Dennis, a former wrestler at Carrollton High and state qualifier in 1976, has supplied plenty of incentive. "He has been very inspirational all the way through," Ryan said. "He helps get me ready for my matches."
Some of Whited's foes can attest to his readiness. He comes prepared. Six of Whited's pins have taken less than 60 seconds, including a five-second fall against Mount Olive. It was one of the quickest pins in recorded IHSA history.
Joe Cordes of Clifton Central holds the heavyweight record with a four-second pin in 1985. Tom Kaczor of St. Charles Valley Lutheran stuck an opponent in a state-record three seconds during a match in January of 1977.
"Ryan's one of the top three of four wrestlers we've had since I've been here," said Speidel, completing his eighth year as Jersey's coach. "He has really come on this season. It's because of his lifting and that he has taken his role seriously as the team captain. He has been a leader."
One of Whited's goals is to lead the Panthers as far as they can go. Teammate James Crone (125) also should be a contender Saturday for a Valley championship.
"I can't wait for Saturday," said Whited, looking down the road. "I want to win the conference championship, do well in the regional and sectional and go on to state."
Class AA regional wrestling is set for East Alton-Wood River High, followed by a sectional at Chatham Glenwood. The two-class state finals are housed at the University of Illinois Assembly Hall in Champaign.
"If I can get to state, then I want to give it my best shot," said Whited, angling to wrestle, play football or do both in college next season. "I like both football and wrestling, but wrestling is different training because you have to depend upon yourself. That's what I like about it," Whited said.