Gatewood’s wrestling team has had a good run of success this season, which will soon come to an end.
The Gators are preparing for the state traditional tournament coming up this weekend at Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville. They’ll be a little shorthanded on Saturday, though.
Gatewood is sending only two wrestlers to the state championships – Jackson Hewatt and Tyler Middleton – because the team has battled injuries throughout the year.
“It’s tough,” head coach Tyler VanDusen said. “It’s been an up-and-down season with the injuries.
The guys have worked hard all season, but unfortunately, we’ve had so many guys hurt.”
Gatewood didn’t get to compete at the state duals tournament a few weeks ago due to the injuries, so VanDusen is banking on this weekend to finish the year off on a positive note.
This past weekend, the Mat Gators traveled to Pinewood Christian Academy in Bellville for the traditional region tournament, where Hewatt placed third in the 144-pound weight class, while at 285 pounds, Middleton was named runner-up in the heavyweight division.
Hewatt is looking to repeat as state champion.
As a freshman, he won the 106-pound title two years ago. So, while he’s moved up in weight, the junior is hoping to continue his success on the mat.
Middleton, also a junior, wrestled in the heavyweight division last season, too. He is hoping to go out on top this weekend by matching the success of Hewatt but in the state’s heaviest weight class.
“I’m super proud of those two guys. To have (Jackson and Tyler) reach the state level just shows how hard they’ve worked to get to this point,” VanDusen said. “We have high hopes for these two.”
Despite this season being hampered by injuries, it hasn’t been a bust.
The Gators have grown a lot as a team this season under long-time Gatewood coach VanDusen.
Wrestlers including Middleton, Hewatt, Gage Rainey, John VandePlanque, and Bodie Curry have shined. Each has taken an enormous step forward under VanDusen’s direction this year.
“We’ve got a great group of guys and they’ve impressed me this season. Wrestling is such a hard, physical sport,” VanDusen said. “And to see them fight through the pain, it’s great to see as a coach.”