PREP WRESTLING: Rogers High Numbers Improving

MOUNTIES RETURN THREE FROM LAST YEAR’S TEAM, INCLUDING STATE CHAMPION

By Paul Boyd

Posted: November 28, 2009 at 4:28 a.m.

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ROGERS — Mark Malcom spent much of the offseason walking the hallways at Rogers High, trying to find more athletes for his Mounties wrestling team.

It’s paid dividends as 29 have come out this season.

That’s a few more than last season, Malcom said.

“I logged a lot of miles knocking on doors over there (at the high school),” Malcom said. “We need about twice that many though. But we’ll see if we can field a full team — all 14 weight classes.

“Last year we couldn’t fi eld anyone at 103 and 112. This year those are full. That’s 12 points we gave up last year. We don’t want to forfeit a weight class if we can help it.”

However, experience will be lacking since “about half” the wrestlers are newcomers, Malcom said.

The Mounties return three wrestlers who placed at the state tournament a year ago, led by senior Luis Valenzuela, who won a state title at 215 pounds.

“He lost a handful (of matches), but he didn’t lose many,” Malcom said.

He knocked off Conor Bolton of Rogers Heritage in the state finals, a week after losing to him in the finals at the 7A-West Conference meet.

Malcom has not been able to spend much time working with Valenzuela, a two-way starter on the football team.

But he had a lot of success with a headlock to take opponents to the mat, Malcom said. “It’s not a move I’m particularly fond of, but he’s gotten good with it and I’m not going to take it away from him,” he added.

However, Malcom said he will be teaching Valenzuela a couple more takedown moves.

“Everybody in the state has seen what he has, and they’ll know what’s coming,” Malcom said.

Valenzuela has shown to be very coachable with all kinds of potential, according to his coach.

“He’s got a big heart,” Malcom said. “He’ll give you everything he’s got and he in big matches he tends to step it up a notch. That’s a coach’s dream.”

In addition, seniors Brian Castillo and Kyle Kemp placed at the state tournament a year ago.

Both have matured and show quite a bit of natural wrestling ability, Malcom said.

“Brian’s a little unorthodox, well he’s a lot unorthodox,” Malcom said. “A lot of people call him the rubber band man. ... there’s nothing wrong with that. That’s just his style.”

Malcom also singled out sophomore Jake Humpheries and senior Austin Conley as a couple who could stand out this season.

“I’ll put some pressure on this young man. I expect Jake to do some things for us,” Malcom said. “He won a match or two in the state tournament last year. He’s got a lot of potential that’s not tapped yet.

The Mounties open the season Tuesday against Van Buren at Rogers Heritage. Matches begin at 6 p.m.

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