Friday, February 04, 2000
Campbell hard-pressed to repeat wrestling success
BY MARK SCHMETZER
Enquirer contributor
Mike Bankemper doesn't expect his Campbell County wrestling team to go 14-for-14 at districts again, but it doesn't hurt to hope.
Last year, the Camels placed one wrestler in the finals of each weight class — with nine winning — to easily capture the District 6 team title.
“That would be a nice goal, but it's not as likely,” Bankemper said of repeating the performance Saturday. “Our goal is to get 14 on to the (regionals) any way we can. We feel like we're ready to go.”
This year's district tournament starts at 11 a.m. Saturday at Scott. The host Eagles, last year's district runner-up, will try to derail Campbell's bid to again reach every title match.
“You wouldn't think that would happen (again), but you never know,” Scott coach Ken Simmons said.
The top four wrestlers in each class advance to the Region 3 tournament next weekend at Conner. The state tournament is scheduled for Feb. 18-19 at Farnham Dudgeon Civic Center in Frankfort.
Campbell County, the No. 4 team in the Wrestling Coaches Association state poll, is favored because of its depth. Five Camels are ranked among the state's top five wrestlers in their respective weight classes: Joey Hagedorn, fifth at 103 pounds; Josh Kenneweg, third at 125; Kevin Dawn, fifth at 130; Scott Fryman, fourth at 140; and Nathan Schmidt, second at 152.
“I would project them as the (team) winner based on their depth,” Simmons said. “Our kids are good, but we don't have the depth that anybody else has around here.”
Said Bankemper: “I would say us and Simon Kenton will be the two teams vying for it. We were 1-2 in the (Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference) meet, and I don't think much has changed since then (December).
“Dixie Heights also is good. Their numbers are up. They've got more football players out. It makes a big difference if your football team and coach support the wrestling program.”
Scott, the state's No. 8 team, is coming off a fourth-place finish in the Oldham County Invitational.
Only three Northern Kentucky wrestlers are currently ranked first in the state, and Scott has two of them: junior Jason Daviaux at 112 and senior Craig Collinsworth at 215. Daviaux, Collinsworth and Mike Bell all won titles last weekend at Oldham County. Junior Jimmy Ranshaw, who won the NKAC at 135, is another leader — ranked third in the state.
“We only took 10 kids (to Oldham County) because some of them were under the weather,” Simmons said. “Chad Fields lost in the heavyweight finals. Jared Reynolds (160) didn't go. We have a couple of other ones who are pretty good.”
The Pioneers, ranked 13th in the state, have the other local with a No. 1 state ranking: junior Chad Daulton at 140. Their other leader is Sean Craft, ranked fifth at 125.
“They're young,” Bankemper said. “They have a good group of mostly sophomores and juniors. They're going to be a team to contend with for the next couple of years.”
IF YOU GO
• Where: Scott High School
• When: 11 a.m. Saturday. are expected to begin
• At stake: Top four finishers in each weight class advance to the Region 3 meet next weekend at Conner.
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