On the JT1Wrestle podcast I had a coach recently say to me, "We're a team of development" and I have to say I think that mentality & structure fits what's going on at Central Methodist to a T.
Watching Arojae Hart improve from junior to senior over the past two seasons was a real treat for me. He went from being a top 25 guy, to being a top 8 guy in the nation over a year of hard work, discipline & shaping his mind as much as he did his technique & skills. It was plain as day how hard he had worked on developing his counter-offense & making the little adjustments that are often the difference between simply getting in on a shot & finishing a shot. Making the finals of the Missouri Valley Invitational, taking 3rd in an extremely tough Heart of American (HOA) & finishing off his collegiate career with a 6th place All-American honor.
Injuries kept Garine Gibson from having the career he otherwise would have in my opinion. I'm not sure how many national champs I can name from the state of Louisiana, but had it not been for health refusing to be on this kid's side, he probably would've been one of them. An HOA runner-up, he was also 4th at the Missouri Valley Invitational.
Cam Cornman, a transfer, who I think would've benefitted had he spent more time at Central Methodist. Things didn't end for him as they should have, but we still got to see a glimpse of his potential at the Missouri Valley Invitational where he finished 4th.
Now for the talent returning....and there is a ton of talent returning...
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| 157 Drake Jenkins |
Drake Jenkins finished 3rd at the HOA last season.
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| Kevin Olavarria 165 |
We could be looking at a future international star for Puerto Rico. A Service Salute champion last season, Kevin Olavarria was 4th at the HOA.
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| 165 Eric Hodge |
Only a sophomore, Eric Hodge had a great season last year for the Eagles. The Florida native placed 5th at the always loaded Grand View Open, 3rd at the Service Salute & 6th at the HOA.
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| 174 Roman Garcia |
Here's the man of the hour. 5th-7th-4th, Roman Garcia not only has the ability & potential to become a four-time NAIA All-American, he has the skills to end it all as an NAIA champion. I talked earlier about a "team of development" and once again, that is showcased in the Florida native. I'm not inside this guy's head, but I can tell you what my observation was. Freshman year it seemed sort of a, "I'm good, I know I'm good, but I'm among a lot of talent & I respect them." Last year as a junior it was more of, "I don't care who you are, or how good you are, I'm going to beat you." Coaches talk all the time about not showing too much respect for your opponents or what they have accomplished. I think Roman Garcia is beyond that point now. He's also been 5th-2nd-1st thus far in the HOA.
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| 184 Griffin Ray |
Griffin Ray earned HOA runner-up honors last season.
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| HWT Austin Foye |
If you haven't noticed by now....
JT1Wrestle has been preaching that Florida produces a lot of talent. That's true.
Central Methodist takes advantage of this talent.
Injuries! Gawd they suck. It's why Austin Foye didn't have the 2026 that he otherwise would have. However, he has one more season left & there is very good reason to look forward to it. Not sure if Tim Robbins or Morgan Freeman will be available but Shawshank is about to get a sequel, and this time it's gonna be the Foye Redemption. Foye was an NAIA runner-up in 2025 & if 100% healthy, he'll contend for a national title in 2027. 3rd-3rd-6th thus far in the HOA, he'll contend for a title there too.
