By Brad Heath
Charles Page High School has a proud tradition of wrestling dating back to 1925 when Alonzo Elder won the first state title in school history at 115-pounds. Or to their last state champions in Carter Young (106) and Riley Weir (113) in 2018. And who can forget the memorable run Daton Fix made to become the Sandites only four-time state champ.
This season, head coach Ty Bowling returns 13 starters from last season including one state placer and six state qualifiers.
Mitchell Smith (Sr.), son of former head coach and Sandite wrestler Kelly Smith, is back after placing third at 145-pounds, one of the toughest weight classes in Class 6A. Smith is a three-time state qualifier and someone to watch this season as he looks to add one more title to his name.
Zander Grigsby is yet another state qualifier from 2022. Grigsby finished last season with an 18-3 record. Scout Trotter (So.)made the state tournament roster as a freshman last season finishing with a record of 20-12. Senior Carter Goodman and Mason Harris also qualified for state at 160-pounds and 220-pounds respectively.
David Ritchey is another wrestler who brings a ton of experience to the mat for the Sandites. Ritchey wrestled his way into the tournament at 106-pounds.
Ethan White (Sr.) is one of the hardest workers in the wrestling room and coach Bowling is excited to see him punch his ticket to the state tournament this season. “Ethan is always trying to find a way to get better. Leading by example on and off the mat,” said Bowling. Other wrestlers to watch include Colt Hood, Gatlin Gunn, and Jayden Pait.
Pictured: Mitchell and Kelly Smith
Dual State Champions
2017
Team State Championships
2017
1971
4-Time State Champions
Daton Fix 2014-2017
3-Time State Champions
David McGuire 1963-1965
State Champions
Alonzo Elder – 1925
Tremont Scruggs – 1929
Arty Baker – 1931
Oscar Baker – 1934
Ralph Parrish – 1936
Ralph Parrish – 1940
David McGuire – 1963
Bill Burcham – 1963
David McGuire – 1964
David McGuire – 1965
Steve Randall – 1965
Frank Peck – 1971
Rick Warren – 1971
Eddie Sullivan – 1971
John Phillips – 1972
Frank Peck – 1972
John Phillips – 1973
Hall Williams – 1974
Wayne Sutterfield – 1974
Ronnie Luce – 1974
Kevin Newport – 1976
Brad Bridges – 1977
Craig Sanders – 1978
Kevin Newport – 1978
Billy Boyd – 1978
Craig Sanders – 1979
Jay Fleischman – 1988
Brett Pennington – 1991
Brett Pennington – 1992
Gabe Hodges – 1994
Josh Nicholson – 2002
David Jones – 2005
Znick Ferrell – 2008
Znick Ferrell – 2009
Daton Fix – 2014
Daton Fix – 2015
Daton Fix – 2016
Daton Fix – 2017
Riley Weir – 2017
Jack Karstetter – 2017
Beau Bratcher – 2017
Payton Scott – 2017
Carter Young – 2018
Riley Weir – 2018
