FAYETTEVILLE -- As a team, Fayetteville had a season full of growing pains on the wrestling mat last year. But with the core unit back and more experienced, the Bulldogs expect better things this time around.
Fayetteville returns up to 10 regulars in the varsity lineup, as youth took a big toll on the Purple'Dogs and their chances against other Class 7A/6A competition. At last year's state championships, Fayetteville finished just eighth overall in the 7A/6A division, but coach Steve Adair is counting on better results with a more polished group of wrestlers at his disposal this season.
Fayetteville Schedule
Date^Opponent/Event^Location^Time
Dec. 2^Springdale High/Springdale Har-Ber Duals^Bentonville^6 p.m.
Dec. 5-6^Jay Tournament^Jay, Okla.^TBA
Dec. 12-13^NWA Duals^Springdale Har-Ber^TBA
Dec. 20^Gentry Tournament^Gentry^9 a.m.
Dec. 26-27^Tiger Classic^Bentonville^TBA
Dec. 29-30^Diamond Duals^Springdale Har-Ber^TBA
Jan. 2-3^Fort Smith Duals^Fort Smith Northside^TBA
Jan. 6^Gentry Dual^Fayetteville^6 p.m.
Jan. 10^Fayetteville Tournament^Fayetteville^9 a.m.
Jan. 13^Rogers/Rogers Heritage^Rogers High^6 p.m.
Jan. 20^FS Northside/FS Southside^Bentonville^6 p.m.
Jan. 23-24^Greenbrier Tournament^Greenbrier^TBA
Feb. 3^Van Buren/Greenwood^Van Buren^6 p.m.
Feb. 6-7^Dual State^Van Buren^TBA
Feb. 10^Bentonville Dual^Bentonville^6 p.m.
Feb. 13-14^Conference Tournament^Greenwood^TBA
Feb. 20-21^State Tournament^Little Rock^TBA
"We expect to do better at state this year," Adair said. "We're still a young team, but we expect to be improved."
One Bulldog who will have a hard time improving -- at least in his record -- is senior Jaxon Nolen, who won the state's 152-pound division as a junior. Nolen, who was voted as the top wrestler in the Big West Conference last year by league coaches, moves to the 160-class this year and expects more of the same success as he leads the charge for Fayetteville.
"My goal is to win another state championship," Nolen said. "I don't know what the competition is like yet (at 160), but I think it will be a good move for me."
With Fayetteville still sporting some inexperience in certain spots, Nolen's leadership and dominance on the mat are keys to building the team back up this year, Adair believes.
"Jaxson is a hard worker and he's a very strong wrestler," Adair said. "I expect him to go undefeated this year and win a state championship. That's the goal."
Senior Dane Shields was a state runner-up in the 160-division last season and will move up to 170. Adair also will count on fellow seniors Gavin McGarrah (195), Logan Dingler (113), Elijah Bartholomew (152) and Damian Perez (138) to provide veteran leadership.
Much of Fayetteville's promise for an improved season, beyond Nolen and Shields, comes from the younger classes. Sophomore Evan Johnson had a breakout year as a freshman and will wrestle at 138. Fellow sophomore Bryce Aroyos will compete at 126 and Adair sees him as one with perhaps some of the most potential on the team.
Others who will contribute include junior Noah Logan (126) and junior Darius Maggett (145).
"We were really, really young last year," Adair said. "We're still pretty young, but we should be better."
Fayetteville has implemented a new elementary school wrestling program this school year. And even though the current Purple'Dogs still have just a couple of top championship contenders, like Nolen and Shields, Adair is confident the future of the program is now brighter than ever.
"That elementary program is going to help a lot," Adair said. "It's going to build a foundation for us. So we're young now, but the future is bright."
Sports on 11/30/2014