West Newsmagazine 12-14-16

28 I SPORTS I
December 14, 2016
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
2017 Spring Registration
Pond Athletic
Association
@WESTNEWSMAG
WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
Chesterfield
AX FREE*
r expires 4/30/16
CHESTERFIELD / 636 536 0777 COTTLEVILLE / 636 447 9299
636-536-0777
1640 Clarkson Rd. 636-447-9299 6225 Mid Rivers Mall 314-721-0777
Drive
1640 Clarkson Rd. 6225 Mid Rivers Mall Drive 8853 Ladue Road
first-time guests. Guests must reside in state where redeemed. Not valid for all services. Additional restrictions may apply. Visit waxcenter.com for complete terms and conditions. © 2015 EWC
ws_opt2.indd 1
A Baseball & Softball Tradition for Over 50 Years!
LET THE
BROWNVENTURES
BEGIN
Play at Pond in 2017!
Ages 4 & 5 $35*
Ages 6 & 7 $90*
Ages 8 and older $145
*Includes: hat, shirt, socks and participation award
No Work Duty for Parents
Team and Individual Registration
Free Practice Times
Register Online
December 1 thru January 31
www.pondathletic.com
CONCURRENT LEAGUES • ADULT SOFTBALL LEAGUES • FALL BASEBALL &
SOFTBALL • YOUTH EASTER EGG HUNT • TRIVIA • GOLF TOURNAMENT •
INTERNATIONAL BASEBALL GAMES • HITS FOR HEROS ADULT SOFTBALL
TOURNAMENT • KICK CANCER TO THE CURB KICKBALL TOURNAMENT • OTHER
LOCAL CHARITY EVENTS
FIRST WAX FREE *
*
This fab offer expires 12/31/16
Cottleville
EXPERTS IN
EYEBROWS
WWW.WAXCENTER.COM
Ladue
*May be redeemed only by rst-time guests. Guests must reside in state where redeemed. Not valid for all services. Additional restrictions may apply. Visit waxcenter.com for complete terms and conditions. © 2015 EWC
Whitfield has experience, talent to
earn state wrestling championship
By WARREN MAYES
With apologies to Andy Williams, this
is the most wonderful time of the year for
Whitfield coach Charlie Sherertz - wrestling
season has started.
The veteran coach, entering his 21st year
at Whitfield, has helped put the Warriors’
program on the map. In the last 10 years,
Whitfield has finished first or second in the
Class 1 state wrestling tournament.
“I’ve been pretty anxious to get things
rolling,” Sherertz said.
Last year, the Wildcats finished a close
second as a team in Class 1 at the 86th
annual Missouri Wrestling Championship.
Whitfield ended with 154.5 points. Seneca
took first with 160 points. Three Warriors
were named individual state champs.
“We’ve done well in the last 10 years, with
five state championships,” Sherertz said.
LET THE
BROWVENTURES
“We let a couple of them slip away. It would
BEGIN be nicer, in my opinion, if we had seven state
titles. We also had some good wins in there.”
Sherertz said he likes his chances, but
added, “We really need to get into the heat
of battle and see what we’re made of; so
far, so good.”
This year is a first in Sherertz’s coaching
career. He named four of his matmen as
team captains: juniors Max Darrah, Mike
McAteer and J.R. Ditter, along with senior
Dylan Shotwell.
Though Sherertz has never had four captains
before, he said the “boys all bring
something to be there.”
“They earned it. They all have different
personalities and I think they’ll all help to
make us stronger.”
McAteer, Darrah and Ditter are all state
champions.
McAteer won last winter at 113 pounds.
It was his second title. As a freshman, McA-
waxcenter.com
teer won at 106, going 49-0. He defeated
Maplewood’s Ronald Stewart for the second
consecutive season to claim the crown.
Darrah won at 220 pounds. 2/18/16 1:57 PM Finishing at
48-3, he won by a 3-2 decision over Sam
Hasekamp, of Centralia. Ditter’s season,
however, was cut short when he broke his
arm in the MICDS Tournament.
Dylan Shotwell finished fifth as a freshman
at state.
Once again, Whitfield will compete in the
Granite City Invitational right after Christmas.
That meet boasts a strong field. The
Warriors also will be in the Kyle Thrasher
Tournament at Francis Howell and the
MICDS Tournament as well as the Mount
Olive and Route 141 Tournament at Summit.
“I’m pretty comfortable with our schedule,”
Sherertz said. “It’s solid. I just think
you’re more hardened, more seasoned going
against bigger schools. The pace is higher.
Instead of getting a match or two that’s
tough, you’re tested time and time again.
“I’m fortunate that coaches I compete
against see us a worthy school and want to
wrestle us. They don’t just look at us as a
Class 1 school, but as a worthy foe.”
At 120 pounds, McAteer will be going
for a third title this season.
“Mike is not a real emotional kid,” Sherertz
said. “He’s consistent and he does his
thing. He quietly keeps kicking butt.”
Darrah will be moving up to heavyweight
this season.
“He was 220 last year and he’s up a little
higher,” Sherertz said. “He will start out
there and may go back to 220. He’s in a
good place now.”
Sherertz is glad to see Ditter back in
action at 126.
“We’re anticipating big things out of
him,” Sherertz said.
Sophomore Wade Raeman was second
in 106 at state last year. Max Roark, of
Seneca, won by fall over Raeman in the
title match. Also back will be junior Noah
Elmore, who finished fifth and senior Richard
Jordan, who finished sixth at state.
Sherertz said it’s a good mix of athletes.
“We’re all about being better teammates
and better friends,” Sherertz said. “We’ve
got a better chemistry going. It’s going to
be fun.”