Eagles Wrestling Targets District Championship
A year after the program reached new heights, Sullivan’s wrestling team enters the 2019-2020 season positioned for bigger things than perhaps any squad before it.
The Eagles qualified a program-record 10 for state, finished third in districts and had two wrestlers — Evan Shetley and Tristan Brown — reach the podium.
For the first time ever, Sullivan enters the season state-ranked, coming in at No. 3 in Class 2.
Matt Peregoy enters his ninth season as head coach and 10th with the program. The program continues to rise year after year. The Eagles are stocked with a group of talented, experienced seniors and a district championship is well within reach.
“I believe all the guys from last year’s district team left the tournament a little hungry,” Peregoy said. “I tell the guys that everything we do from now until the second week of February is practice for our district tournament.”
To meet the challenge, Sullivan has put together a schedule that will test them over the next two-and-a-half months.
“We once again have increased the level of competition,” said Peregoy, who added duals with Washington, St. Charles West and Moberly. The Eagles dropped the Rebel Invitational at Central and added the Cameron Crossroads Duals Tournament.
Sullivan brings back nine of their 10 state qualifiers, though Trevor Hamblin is out with an injury.
Dillon Witt, Joey Lewis, Jon Krygiel, Ty Shetley, Kobie Blankenship and Trey Eplin join Evan Shetley and Brown as the all-state returners. Peregoy said they are ready for the challenge of what he said will be some of the toughest competition in the state.
“These guys are all working hard in the room and proving they are hungry to take Sullivan wrestling to bigger places,” Peregoy said. “What’s really exciting to watch as a coach is the younger or more inexperienced guys making gains and putting themselves in contention for varsity work.”
Peregoy said he doesn’t believe he’s had a team where the lower-level competitors have pushed the older wrestlers like they are. “We are seeing a new level of intensity from our younger guys,” he said.
Sullivan will feature a full lineup this season, which gives them an edge in winning each dual.
“Filling the lineup makes us stronger as a team,” Peregoy said. “It’s still a little early to say what our lineup will be, but it will be the toughest we’ve had in my 10 years with the team.”
The Eagles open the season December 11 at Washington and while Peregoy said it’s a long road ahead, he’s optimistic that by the time districts roll around, the team is going to make some noise. That’s reflected in the preseason state ranking.
“We talked about what (being state-ranked) means the other day at practice,” Peregoy said. “I told the team that rankings don’t mean much, but they do show the respect that our program is earning throughout the state.”
Peregoy said the Eagles will have a target on their backs.
“People are gunning for us and that’s a great scenario for us,” he said. “These athletes are ready and willing to prove themselves to everyone watching. It’s hard to say where it will all land at the end of the season, but I do know it will be fun to watch. It keeps me up at night with excitement and anticipation.”
Peregoy said the team is appreciative of the Sullivan community and administration for their support as the season begins.
“It still amazes me to see the outpouring of fans that I don’t even know who stop me in the grocery store or at a local restaurant and want to talk wrestling,” he said. “They are always interested in how the team is doing and if there is anything they can do to help. Knowing that our community has our backs is an unbelievable feeling and makes us want to do it for them as much as us.
“With all that said, I can, without reservation, say this is going to be a fun season to be a part of and I hope that the community will come out and watch our guys compete.”