We're going team-by-team, with information from each local wrestling team! Here's the season preview info for Commerce.
*Information/Interview Questions by Jason Lord**
PRESEASON INFO
2022-23: 4th Place in Traditional; 5th Place in Dual; Dual Area 1st; Traditional Area 2nd
Head Coach: Chance McClure (2nd Season); Addison Davis (Assistant Coach)
Key Departures: Brayden Phillips (State RU), Zander McLane (State 4th)
Key Returners: Hoke Poe-Hogan (State RU), Tysean Wiggins (State RU)
QUESTIONS FOR THE COACH
I see that you have 2 returning state placers with Hoke Poe-Hogan and Tysean Wiggins. Who else do you have coming back that you are expecting and counting on for those valuable team points?
"We have Tysean and Hoke returning as finalists and favorites to do the same or better this year, but their main role on the team is to come in and set the tone for the class of 16 freshman and several very talented and hard working sophomores in Will Cox, Jack Fowler and Fischer West that are capable of great things too and look to make their own mark.
Key losses looks like its Zander McLane that finished 4th at state and State RU Brayden Phillips, do you have anyone else that you are going to have to find a replacement for going into the season?
"Zander and Brayden Phillips graduated and both were major players in the success that we've had in the past 4 years. They were pinning well over half the guys they wrestled and could both be electric to watch, so those will be huge holes to fill. We have Michael Duncan who is planning to step in and take that role at heavy as a 250 pound athletic man who moves well and knows how to wrestle and several gamers in those upper middleweights that I'm confident will fill in right where Brayden left off."
Do you have any new kids on the upcoming roster that are moving up from the JV, middle school, or transfer that you are expecting big things out of?
"I would have to post over half the roster on here…Our team is loaded with young talent in the freshman class. They are a class on a mission with a special passion for wrestling and the way they do it."
With the tradition at Commerce, what are the expectations for the team and what do you see as a strength and what are your biggest concerns competing in a very competitive Class A?
"We as a committee will do our best to make sure they know how to wrestle in all three positions and that they give it their all. We believe that we should win every dual and that we are dangerous enough to win every match. Our strength is in our coaches being relevant to the culture of our program and in our kids being resilient enough to trust them through the fire. The kids know many of the guys around them have accomplished things that they want to accomplish and that helps tremendously!"
Last thing, this is your 2 nd year leading the Tigers, you have surrounded yourself with a great
support staff (Addison, Dalton, Tucker) what is the biggest thing you learned in your first year
as HC that you can use to get Commerce back to the top of the podium come February?
"I learned how much this town wants to win on a different level and how much they are willing to help. We'll keep asking them to support and love on us and as coaches we'll have to continue to coach kids with constructive passion. I'm excited to talk to some people about this group at the end of the season."
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