Coweta Wrestling
If you’re not excited for the return of wrestling and your Coweta Tigers, then you’re not a sports fan. With several returning starters and some new faces that will certainly help this team moving forward, the future of the program is bright and head coach Gabe Ellis is eager to get his kids on the mat.
“This team is the returning dual state runner up and has won the last three district titles. We have a good group of veterans along with some freshman with national experience,” said Ellis.
One name everyone knows is Toby Shipman (So.) who won his first state title last year at 113-pounds and is expected to wrestle at 126 or 132 this season. Shipman is one of the top wrestlers in Oklahoma and will lead the Tigers this season as an underclassman.
A pair of seniors are looking to make their way back to the state tournament. Brian Ballard and Brock Roberts are two guys capable of making some serious noise this season. Ballard will likely wrestle at 144-pounds, while Roberts is expected bump to 150, but could see matches at 144 as well.
State runner-up, Deacon Peterson is a heavyweight everyone is excited to see back on the mat. Peterson lost a close match in the finals and is working hard to ensure that does not happen again. Peterson is a crowd favorite and could have a senior season to remember.
Junior High state champion Legend Ellis has made his way to the varsity lineup and is one of several exciting freshmen to make the roster. Ellis will likely wrestle at 120 or 126-pounds while Junior High state placer Tohmi Carney (Fr.) could wrestle at 113 or 120.
Coweta has two more JH state placers in Baylor Bart (So.) and Brock Heilmann (Fr.) Bart will wrestle at 165-pounds with Heilmann wrestling at 175-pounds. Other team members include Gus Buthrod (Fr.), Caleb Jones (So.), Landon Bart (Jr.), Ben Mendenhall (Jr.), Jayden Finley (Jr.), and Hunter Reavis (Fr.).
There is a lot of talk about the girls’ team and wrestler Solana Knight. Knight is a senior this year and someone who could have a great season for the Tigers. We will have more on Knight in an upcoming spotlight.
