ANDERSON — Sam Bennett, Mason Berryman and Mason Todd begin their quest to return to Indianapolis this week.
But the start of the high school wrestling season doesn’t signal their return to the mat. Far from it, in fact.
The trio of returning state finalists rarely have been out of competition since the IHSAA tournament ended last February.
“Each athletic season, in a lot of ways unfortunately, has come around to a year-round format,” Highland coach Kyle Poyer, who guides Bennett and Berryman, said. “It creates an opportunity for some of the best kids to have the means to get out-of-season competition. I think that can give some of the elite guys a leg up on the (high school) competition.”
Bennett and Pendleton Heights’ Todd competed at the National Freestyle Finals in Fargo, N.D., over the summer. Todd walked away with All-America honors in his 103-pound weight class and gained unique perspective and experience.
“That was a tremendous experience for him,” Arabians coach Dave Cloud said. “He not only had the experience of winning some matches and being an All-American, but the biggest thing he learned was how to compete. As a freshman or a sophomore going out there, you’re going to see some of the best kids in the country. You get to see how they compete, how they train, how they prepare. They can’t do anything but help you.”
Madison County wrestlers have had some pretty good role models close to home.
Highland’s Camden Eppert, now a freshman at Purdue, won his second state championship last year as a senior at 119 pounds. Pendleton Heights’ Matt Todd spent his senior season with an unbeaten record then won sectional, regional and semistate crowns before finishing second in the state at 160.
Bennett was third last year at 152, Berryman was fourth at 125 (one of the state’s deepest weight classes) and Mason Todd became the first Arabian freshman ever to qualify for the wrestling state finals.
In addition to the five state finalists, six other county wrestlers qualified for the semistate.
It was an impressive contingent that should help develop the next generation of stars.
“I think it does help, but not as much as you’d like,” Cloud said. “After a kid like Camden Eppert does what he did, Kyle should have 60 guys out this year wanting to be the next Camden Eppert. I should have 35 freshmen here wanting to be the next Matt Todd.
“But I think a select few kids do look at that and say, ‘That’s me. I want that to be me.’”
Bennett and Berryman had front-row seats for Eppert’s two state title runs. They plan to use that experience to claim their own medals this year.
“I want to see me and Mason both win together,” Bennett said. “That would be the first time Highland High School has had two state champions (in the same year) in any sport. We’re best friends, and I know it would mean a lot to our coaching staff. They put in a lot of time with us, especially (assistant coach) Maurice Swain.”
Berryman said the Scots’ stars help each other improve, even if it means their friendship takes a brief hiatus each day during practice in the wrestling room.
“In that room, we aren’t friends,” he said. “It’s like we hate each other. We’re going to battle as hard as we can, and we’re going to push each other as much as we can. Then, when it’s over and we get out of there, we can be friends again.”
Todd will attempt to return to the state finals without the support of older brother, Matt. The two were nearly inseparable last year as they climbed the rungs to Indianapolis.
But Mason has come back this season a changed man.
Always aggressive, he’s developed a new seriousness about the sport.
“He’s definitely a lot more confident,” Cloud said. “He feels he has a chance to be a top-five finisher at 103. He’s always been a hard worker, but he knows now the very best kids put in that little extra effort.”
Extra effort could be needed in a county race sure to be tight.
Jack Grimaldi is rebuilding a strong program at Alexandria, and Matt Goen and Fred Short are expected to have improved clubs at Anderson and Elwood, respectively.
Throw in some budding stars for Nate Andrews at Lapel, and the race for the county title could become crowded very quickly.
“I think you’re going to see a lot more competition in the county this year,” said Cloud.
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