Nation Ford bringing back core group, primed for big year

With a dozen returning starters back from last year’s team, the Nation Ford Falcons wrestling team could be stocked for a nice season – maybe even it’s best yet.

With 12 starters back and five seniors on this year’s team, Nation Ford should have no trouble finding any leadership under new head coach Dan Snell.

“We got a solid group of seniors,” Snell said. “We got guys stepping up.”

Snell said he wants to send all five seniors to the state tournament in February to cap his inaugural season. Nation Ford opens the preseason with an individual tournament Nov. 23 at the Sabra Holiday Clash at South Mecklenburg High School.

Of the 12 wrestlers coming back, seniors Jeremy Kishbaugh and Jakob Gravely should be two leaders Snell can look to. Both should be ranked in the top 10 in the state in their weight classes. Kishbaugh, who eclipsed the 100-win mark last season, could break the school record this year with 131 career wins.

The team will also have back several experienced wrestlers, including Dylan Curtsinger, Jacob Moore and T.J. Giarratana.

Nation Ford will have a tougher non-region schedule this year. The Falcons will compete in six tournaments, including the Beef O’Brady’s at Fort Mill, the Military Duals in Chapin, and the Holly Angels tournament at Bojangles’ Coliseum Dec. 30-31.

When it comes to competing for the Region IV title, Snell believes it is a possibility.

“Our conference is interesting because it can be competitive,” he said “If we get our seniors to stay steady and some upper classmen to step up, I don’t see a reason we can’t be there.”

Nation Ford, which opened nine years ago, will kick off its region schedule Jan. 11 against Clover at home and will host crosstown rial Fort Mill Jan. 24. Besides the two region matches, Nation Ford only has a total of three home matches with the first one Dec. 15 in a three-way dual against Boiling Springs and Weddington.

This year’s region tournament will be held at Fort Mill High Jan. 27.

This story was originally published November 14, 2016 at 1:25 PM with the headline "Nation Ford bringing back core group, primed for big year."