As to starters returning/lost, Williams Baptist comes in a little better than 50/50. The Eagles lost some good kids due to graduation including American Midwest Conference champions Josh Wright & Isaiah Sellers, as well as runner-up Josh Tyler, but what they have coming back is more impressive than what they lost.
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| 125 lbs Robert Fairchild |
I expect the Louisiana High School State finalist to make a real run at NAIA qualification in his final season as an Eagle. Last season he had his first win over an NCAA Division I opponent when he defeated Alex Yokubaitis of Oklahoma State & I would think that did wonders for his confidence. Ironically enough Yokobaitis himself is from Louisiana as well & furthermore a four time state champion. It goes to show what can be done through good coaching, believing in yourself and hard work. Fairchild finished 3rd at the American Midwest Conference tournament last year.
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| 141 lbs Cody Souder |
One half of the Souder duo from Alabama, Cody darn near joined brother Nick in a trip to the NAIA championships when he finished as the runner-up at the American Midwest Conference tournament. Only a sophomore this season, he will continue to do good things for the Eagles.
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| 149 lbs Nick Souder |
Winning an American Midwest Conference title last season, Nick Souder finished a heartbreaking one match shy of NAIA All American status. This is the final season for the three time High School State champ from Alabama & he should enter the season ranked within the top 10 if not better.
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| 184 lbs Niko Perovic |
Florida native Niko Perovic looks to lead the Eagle team this season as he guns for yet another American Midwest Conference title as well as another NAIA All American honor. He placed 6th last season.
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| 197 lbs Kade Carter |
You don't hear too many stories like that of Kade Carter every day. As an historian of the sport, I can tell you all sorts of examples of collegiate wrestlers that never wrestled in High School. Guys that only played football, even guys that were basketball stars in high school, that became wrestlers in college. Yet that's all in the past right? That kinda stuff doesn't happen in 2022 does it? Guess again.
Kade Carter never wrestled in High School. He was a soccer player, who also happened to be a part of a jiujitsu club. His first time competing in wrestling was when he stepped on the mat at Williams Baptist. First year ever wrestling and he makes the American Midwest Conference finals, ending the season with a 8-15 record. As he harnesses in his skills and finetunes his techniques, it's hard telling how high his ceiling really is. Extraordinarily strong, flexible and athletic, his hunger to improve suggest that ceiling is pretty high.
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