Tucker Taylor, Big Sandy Pioneer Wrestling coach.
The Big Sandy Pioneer Wrestling team has three boys. Darryl Sunchild is coming back from an injury he sustained in football season. Tucker Taylor, the coach, said, "The big thing, my goal from him--I'm mostly concerned he gets back healthy. Whether he sets his feet on the wrestling mat or not. "Tannin Baumann had an ankle injury; hopefully, we can keep him healthy." This last weekend Tannin placed in 4th in the 138-pound class at the Havre Invitational Meet.
Austin Haugan is a new wrestler. According to coach Tucker, "he's been doing pretty good. The goal for the season is to just get these guys some good experience. To be honest, this will be a developing season. The big thing will be improving your craft as a wrestler, working hard, and getting in shape. If you can do that, it's a success as far as I am concerned."
"Coach Rodewald has done a good job of building up the little guy wrestling program, and in the Jr. High has some great wrestlers coming up."
Other sports can bring 8th graders up to compete at the high school level. "The big argument from MHSA-They worry about having the 8th grader wrestling high school and get an injury. They preach they want to grow wrestling. No coach is going to throw an 8th grader up against a monster. Eighth graders would help fill the lighter weights. They could build rules into the process to protect an 8th grader," Coach Taylor said. "MHSA does not have the background in wrestling." It is frustrating for him.
He is, however, excited about the future of wrestling in Big Sandy. "Parents are excited about wrestling too, and the school districts have shown support for the wrestling program."
Last year Fort Benton and Big Sandy had a wrestling co-op. Big Sandy School board voted to continue the co-op, as did Fort Benton. However, Fort Benton later decided to dissolve the co-op. They wanted coach Taylor to stay coaching in FB, but he wanted to let Big Sandy know he believes in the wrestling program here. Tucker is excited about the future of wrestling and believes in the girls wrestling program as well. He expects to see several state champions coming from Big Sandy in the boys and girls programs.
