by Peter Dewey

There are many teams on the rise in the Dallas area. Here are profiles on two of them.

Arlington Bowie
There is a lot of excitement surrounding the Arlington Bowie program this year. That’s because this is shaping up as perhaps their strongest team ever. The nucleus of the team is six returning starters that are trying to build on very solid seasons from last year – senior tri-Captains Luke Brigmon (152), Chris Corry (171) and Derick Moore (180), senior Matt Buckbinder (125), and juniors Shawn Klemm (112) and Brent Rogers (145). The rest of the line-up is less experienced but Coach John Mance noted that Matt Goolsbay (119), Sergio Tatum (130), Adam Roberts (135), Brad Atkinson (140), Marcus McGraw (189), Jordan Spruiel (215) and Larry Peters (275) have beaten some good wrestlers already this year.

And as a team, Bowie defeated Highland Park 42-30 in an early season dual. Granted HP was without Fred Rowsey and forfeited at 215 and 275, but to be able to beat the defending UIL State and Dual State champions is no small accomplishment and fuels this team’s belief that it can accomplish more than any other team in Bowie’s 10 year history.

Coaching is rock solid at Bowie. Head Coach David Mudgett, wrestled in high school in Oklahoma and then later for the Marine Corp. He has been coaching at Arlington Bowie since the program began 10 years ago: 1995-1996. Assistant Coach John Mance was a graduate of Appalachian State and wrestled for NC State, before sustaining career-ending injury. Coach Mance began his assistance coach position at Arlington Bowie 5 years ago: 2001-2002.

Bowie is justifiably proud of what they have accomplished in those 10 years. They boast two individual state champions – Wade Bierman and Ben Stephens and of course the great Ben Heizer, 2X NCAA All-American and NCAA Runner-up as a Senior. In 1998, Bowie finished 2nd at state. In each of those 10 years, Bowie has never failed to produce at least one All-State wrestler and has put a wrestler in the finals 9 out of 10 years.

The challenge for this year’s team, as it is every year, is to get as many wrestlers as possible through one of , if not the, toughest districts in the state. Then they will have to focus on getting wrestlers out of regional and on to State. They should be able to advance more wrestlers than they ever have. As a Dual team, they will probably rank as one of the top 5 in the State with a chance to be really strong if they can get some very talented athletes up to be speed with wrestling knowledge. Team depth is also somewhat of a concern, so injuries need to be avoided.

This year’s team is built on discipline and dedication. Sacrifices are being made to make the team stronger. The wrestlers understand they will be held to a higher standard than other students and they have committed to each other to be accountable – to stay eligible and out of trouble.

The Bowie wrestling program is extremely proud of this:
Eleven former Bowie wrestlers have joined the Marines, 7 have fought in Iraq and 3 are serving there today!

Probable Starting Lineup
103- Ryon Hill (9) (brother of Aeron Hill)
112- Shawn Klemm (11) 28-12 last year, and 2nd in district at 103
119- Matt Goolsbay (12) 24-10 last year
125- Matt Buckbinder (12) 28-7 last year, and went to state at 119
130- Sergio Tatum (12) or Ben Casey (12)
135- Mark Goolsbay (10) or Adam Roberts (11)
140- Brad Atkinson (11)
145- Brent Rogers (11) 30-10 last year. 3rd District
152- Luke Brigmon (12) 36-9 last year. 2nd District, 4th Regional
160- Chris Brooks (10)
171- Chris Corry (12) 44-8 last year. 1st District. State qualifier in 2003
180- Derick Moore (12) 42-8 last year. 1st District. 3rd Regional.
189- Marcus McGraw (10) 4 -4 last year.
215- Jordan Spruiel (11) 8-6 last year.
275- Larry Peters (12)

Varsity Schedule
12/2-12/3 SW Duals @ Rio Rancho, NM
12/9-12/10 OLS Duals @ St Marks
12/17 Viking Invite @ Bryan HS
12/30 Quad @ Bowie
12/31 Quad @ Bowie
1/6-1/7 Grapevine Duals
1/13-1/14 Lamar Invite
1/18 Tri @ Dallas Jesuit
1/21 State Duals

Flower Mound Marcus
One team from Flower Mound exploded on the wrestling scene last year. That was the Flower Mound Jaguars under Coach Z. But across town another wrestling program is on the rise: FM Marcus. In prior years Marcus was known primarily due to the achievements of a few select wrestlers. There was Brook Cramer in the State 103 finals in 2003 and Gabe Hale placing 3rd last year at 135. In 2005-06, the program’s emphasis will be on team. Team goals include a district championship but given the strength of Flower Mound, a runner-up finish would be a significant accomplishment.

Since 2002, the Marcus program has been under the guidance of Coach Mike Prado, who came over from Grand Prairie H.S. The components are finally in place for Marcus to succeed as a team. Clearly this will be there best dual team since Coach Prado has arrived.

Flower Mound is lead by 4 wrestlers – senior Brice Hohenberger, a returning state qualifier at 215, juniors Landon Sewell, returning regional qualifier, and Travis Flowers, 3rd at districts, and freshmen Tyler Lee, a youth state champion. Marcus is hopeful to have all four of these wrestlers competing in Austin in February. The rest of the team consists of some hard working young men who are still learning the sport. Their progress over the year will determine how much noise Marcus can make at tournaments this year.

Probable Lineup
103-Vin Ho (10)
112-Tyler Lee (9) Youth State Champion
119-Travis James (11)
125-Travis Flowers (11) 3rd at districts 2004
130-Landon Sewll (11) 2004 Regional Qualifier
135-Matt Brisbois (11)
140-Tim Gruber (11)
145- Brunelli (9)
152-Donovan Hammerberg (11)
160-Brian Bahe (12) 3rd at districts 2004
171-Ryan Harmon (11)
180-Nathan Shooter (12)
189-Brian Bradsher (11)
215-Brice Hohenberger (12) Returning State Qualifier, 31-9
275-Justin Rayome (9th)

This is going to be a very competitive line-up from 112-140, and at 160 and 215. If some of the other wrestlers develop, Marcus is going to surprise some teams.

2005/06 Schedule 11/30
Dual Euless Trinity
12/2-3 Richardson Round-up
12/6 Tri Argyle, McKinney
12/9-10 Lone Star Duals
12/13 Dual First Baptist
12/17 Santa Slam
12/22 Richardson Quad
1/3 Dual Frisco Centennial
1/5 Dual Flower Mound
1/10 Dual Lewisville
1/13-14 Lamar Invitational
1/19 Dual Creekview
1/21 Cougar Duals
1/27-28 Brute ranger Classic
2/4 District IX Championships
2/10-11 Regional II Championships
2/25 UIL State