Eagles Return Four State Qualifiers, Eye District Title

With four state qualifiers and many program successes over the past few seasons, the time to make the leap is now, said Eagles head coach Matt Peregoy.

The leap, Peregoy said, is going from “good” to “great.”

“We have had many successes over the last few years and all of that has led us to a pivotal point in the development of our program,” Peregoy said. “We have the staff, the personnel and the facilities to make the leap to state contender status.”

Sullivan has adopted the motto “Time for Change” and Peregoy said the wrestlers need to focus on the small stuff — both on the mat and off.

“Things like sharpening up our positioning and setup are part of the picture,” he said. “We have also added education on proper nutrition and hydration to the mix to help ensure we are able to perform at peak levels for the duration of competition.”

Programming has been added to build team unity and pursue goals. Peregoy said it adds up to the team buy-in they need to believe they can succeed.

“We are running a marathon, not a sprint,” he said. “It takes time to get to the top. We may not see it this year but our vision is a multiyear plan that adds the needed elements as we continue to chase the goal.”

Peregoy said the wrestlers have responded to the challenges and having harder, more intense practices than ever before and earlier in the season. “I have been impressed with what I have seen so far and believe there will be big dividends in the end of this season and beyond.”

Sullivan will be led by state qualifiers Brendan Labbee, Ian Kilburn, Kobie Blankenship and Evan Shetley.

“All these guys are hungry to return and prove they are worthy of some medals and want to make many more teammates with them,” Peregoy said.

Blankenship and Shetley qualified as freshmen and both were named captains, along with Kilburn, Isaac Peregoy and Alec McCormick.

“I told our captains that the team would be relying on them for leadership throughout the season and that it was time for us to step up the game in the practice room and on the mat.,” Peregoy said. “I have empowered them to assist with practice planning, goals setting and team management, which are all large responsibilities for young men to undertake. But they have proven to be able to exceed my expectations on all fronts.”

Sullivan’s schedule will be difficult. Peregoy lined up some of the best talent in the state, but for the first time ever, the Eagles have a separate junior varsity schedule.

“This change will help our younger guys better understand the team aspect of the sport as they will be competing in organized duals against other JV and varsity squads with similar levels of ability,” he said.

Adding a separate JV schedule will be beneficial, since non-varsity wrestlers will go from just 15 to 18 matches per season to 35 to 40. “It gives them valuable experience on the mat,” Peregoy said.

The team wrestles for February and while it will be a work in progress to fill spots in the varsity lineup, Peregoy is expecting a great performance at the district tournament.

“We have set our sights on a district championship, the first in Sullivan’s team history,” he said. “This year we have the tools to make that happen.”