Mount Carmel’s Golden Aces wrestling team had a challenging weekend at the Vincennes Lincoln High School Invitational, but the experience is proving to be a crucial learning opportunity for the young squad. With several underclassmen in key spots, Coach Andrew Cheesman sees the potential in his team but knows there’s still much work to be done. Despite a 2-4 record on the day, Cheesman remains optimistic about the direction the team is heading.

“We had a very learning weekend,” Coach Cheesman said. “We’re a young team, and we are still learning, but I feel like for the most part, we wrestled well against some very tough opponents.” While the Golden Aces managed two victories, Cheesman is quick to highlight the team’s resilience. “The losses, except for one, were really close and could have gone our way,” he added.

The Aces faced several tough teams, including Terre Haute South, Washington, and Olney, and although the results weren’t always in their favor, there were many takeaways for the team. Cheesman pointed out the strength of Terre Haute South, noting that their roster was largely made up of juniors and seniors, compared to Mount Carmel’s mix of underclassmen. “They proved to us that they’re one of the top teams in Indiana, but we learned a lot from them,” Cheesman said. “We just have to stay off our backs and stay accountable moving forward. We need to focus on avoiding pins, and we’ll see improvement from that.”

Mount Carmel also came close to victories against Washington and Olney, but both teams managed to secure big pins, reversing momentum late in the matches. “If we stay off our backs, and if our 106-pounder had been there, we would have beaten Olney and Washington,” Cheesman explained. “Those are mistakes we can fix, and they will be key points of focus in our training moving forward.”

While Mount Carmel’s lineup was incomplete due to a few wrestlers being absent or not making weight, Cheesman knows that once the full roster is available and the team can fill all spots, they will be even more competitive. “Right now, we’re giving up 24 points a match because we can’t fill four spots,” he said. “That’s something we need to address as a team.”

Despite the tough day on the mats, Coach Cheesman is confident that the team’s growth this season will lead to greater success as the year progresses. With an emphasis on learning from each match and continuing to develop, the Golden Aces wrestling program is building a strong foundation for the future. “We’ve got a lot of talent, but we have to put the work in,” Cheesman said. “We’ve got to stay focused, stay accountable, and stay hungry. The potential is there, and if we keep working, we’re going to see a lot of improvement.”

I couldn’t agree more. Don’t count this young team out. I have a feeling they are destined for success.

Mount Carmel’s next match is Wednesday, December 4, at 6:00 PM, where they will face off against the Carmi Bulldogs at the Hilltop. With the lessons learned from their recent matches, the Golden Aces are ready to take on the challenge and continue their growth as a team. Be sure to come out and support them as they strive for success on the mat.

Match Recaps

Mt. Carmel vs. Olney (Richland County)
175: Logan McDonald (RICHLAND) over Paul-Ray Garrett (MTCARMEL) (Fall 2:00)
190: Ilario Catania (RICHLAND) over (MTCARMEL) (For.)
215: Zander Schrader (RICHLAND) over Braxton Brown (MTCARMEL) (Fall 0:58)
285: Carter Pyatt (MTCARMEL) over Gentry Michels (RICHLAND) (Fall 1:36)
106: Double Forfeit
113: Hayden Hazel (RICHLAND) over (MTCARMEL) (For.)
120: Eli Baker (MTCARMEL) over (RICHLAND) (For.)
126: Kaeden Davis (RICHLAND) over (MTCARMEL) (For.)
132: Kadin Melahn (MTCARMEL) over Brody Peavler (RICHLAND) (Fall 4:59)
138: Aaron Sanor (MTCARMEL) over (RICHLAND) (For.)
144: Samuel Dial (RICHLAND) over Isaiah Kasinger (MTCARMEL) (Fall 5:11)
150: Isaiah Hall (MTCARMEL) over Myers Parker (RICHLAND) (TF 16-0 0:00)
157: Finn Lathrop (RICHLAND) over Dakota Woods (MTCARMEL) (Fall 1:49)
165: Johnny Askren (MTCARMEL) over Jalon Oneal (RICHLAND) (Fall 2:02)

Mt. Carmel vs. Vincennes Lincoln
106: Kolten Land (VCL) over (MTCARMEL) (For.)
113: Double Forfeit
120: Eli Baker (MTCARMEL) over (VCL) (For.)
126: Donta Henderson (VCL) over (MTCARMEL) (For.)
132: Kadin Melahn (MTCARMEL) over Gauge Holdeway (VCL) (Fall 1:52)
138: Aaron Sanor (MTCARMEL) over Blake Racey (VCL) (Fall 2:51)
144: Peyton Loue (VCL) over Isaiah Kasinger (MTCARMEL) (Fall 0:24)
150: Levi Johnson (VCL) over Isaiah Hall (MTCARMEL) (Fall 1:12)
157: Holden Lewis (VCL) over Dakota Woods (MTCARMEL) (Fall 1:55)
165: Cooper Collins (VCL) over Johnny Askren (MTCARMEL) (Fall 1:21)
175: Mason Pietrzak (VCL) over Paul-Ray Garrett (MTCARMEL) (Fall 0:48)
190: Moises Marquin (VCL) over (MTCARMEL) (For.)
215: Trenton Acton (VCL) over Braxton Brown (MTCARMEL) (Fall 1:23)
285: Gabe Vieck (VCL) over Carter Pyatt (MTCARMEL) (Fall 2:00)

Mt. Carmel vs. Washington
106: Double Forfeit
113: Double Forfeit
120: Eli Baker (MTCARMEL) over Jacob Douglas (WA) (Fall 2:01)
126: Double Forfeit
132: Kadin Melahn (MTCARMEL) over (WA) (For.)
138: Aaron Sanor (MTCARMEL) over Eden McPherson (WA) (Fall 1:18)
144: Jordan Emmick (WA) over Isaiah Kasinger (MTCARMEL) (Fall 1:52)
150: Isaiah Hall (MTCARMEL) over Nathan Sponn (WA) (TF 17-1 0:00)
157: Jack Whitehead (WA) over Dakota Woods (MTCARMEL) (Fall 1:26)
165: Oliver Roe (WA) over Johnny Askren (MTCARMEL) (Fall 4:20)
175: Diego Mora-Lopez (WA) over Paul-Ray Garrett (MTCARMEL) (Fall 1:52)
190: Lane Peachee (WA) over (MTCARMEL) (For.)
215: Jack Giley (WA) over Braxton Brown (MTCARMEL) (Fall 2:06)
285: AJ Talbert (WA) over Carter Pyatt (MTCARMEL) (Fall 1:30)

Mt. Carmel vs. North Knox
285: Carter Pyatt (MTCARMEL) over (NOKN) (For.)
106: E Cole (NOKN) over (MTCARMEL) (For.)
113: Double Forfeit
120: G Riker (NOKN) over Eli Baker (MTCARMEL) (Fall 0:00)
126: Double Forfeit
132: Kadin Melahn (MTCARMEL) over A Ramos (NOKN) (Fall 0:00)
138: C Lee (NOKN) over Aaron Sanor (MTCARMEL) (Fall 0:00)
144: Isaiah Kasinger (MTCARMEL) over (NOKN) (For.)
150: Isaiah Hall (MTCARMEL) over (NOKN) (For.)
157: Dakota Woods (MTCARMEL) over (NOKN) (For.)
165: Johnny Askren (MTCARMEL) over J Phipps (NOKN) (Fall 0:00)
175: G Fuller (NOKN) over Paul-Ray Garrett (MTCARMEL) (Fall 0:00)
190: E Sandefer (NOKN) over (MTCARMEL) (For.)
215: E Arnold (NOKN) over Braxton Brown (MTCARMEL) (Fall 0:00)
Won by Criteria

Mt. Carmel vs. Oblong
106: Thomas Stigler (OBLONG) over (MTCARMEL) (For.)
113: Hunter Fitts (OBLONG) over (MTCARMEL) (For.)
120: Eli Baker (MTCARMEL) over (OBLONG) (For.)
126: (OBLONG) over (MTCARMEL) (For.)
132: Kadin Melahn (MTCARMEL) over William Wilson (OBLONG) (Fall 0:35)
138: Aaron Sanor (MTCARMEL) over Owen Griffin (OBLONG) (Fall 2:11)
144: Jude Wirey (OBLONG) over Isaiah Kasinger (MTCARMEL) (TF 18-2 0:00)
150: Isaiah Hall (MTCARMEL) over (OBLONG) (For.)
157: Dakota Woods (MTCARMEL) over Jaxon Wesley (OBLONG) (Fall 1:16)
165: Johnny Askren (MTCARMEL) over Keaton Davis (OBLONG) (Fall 0:20)
175: Branden Buecherie (OBLONG) over Paul-Ray Garrett (MTCARMEL) (Fall 3:01)
190: Judah Sweitzer (OBLONG) over (MTCARMEL) (For.)
215: Braxton Brown (MTCARMEL) over Ethan Miller (OBLONG) (Fall 0:43)
285: Carter Pyatt (MTCARMEL) over Liam Miller (OBLONG) (Fall 0:31)

Mt. Carmel vs. Terre Haute South
106: L Overton (THS) over (MTCARMEL) (For.)
113: K Singh (THS) over (MTCARMEL) (For.)
120: A Zeller (THS) over Eli Baker (MTCARMEL) (Fall 0:00)
126: C Thomas (THS) over (MTCARMEL) (For.)
132: W Rader (THS) over Kadin Melahn (MTCARMEL) (Fall 0:00)
138: T Bilello (THS) over Aaron Sanor (MTCARMEL) (Fall 0:00)
144: Isaiah Kasinger (MTCARMEL) over (THS) (For.)
150: Isaiah Hall (MTCARMEL) over (THS) (For.)
157: Dakota Woods (MTCARMEL) over (THS) (For.)
165: Johnny Askren (MTCARMEL) over (THS) (For.)
175: B Geeding (THS) over Paul-Ray Garrett (MTCARMEL) (Fall 0:00)
190: L Wilson (THS) over (MTCARMEL) (For.)
215: Braxton Brown (MTCARMEL) over (THS) (For.)
285: Carter Pyatt (MTCARMEL) over (THS) (For.)

From Damon Sloss