Stanfield leads Outlaws wrestlers

Andrew Stanfield has taken over the reigns of the Outlaws wrestling team for the 1999-2000 season.

Stanfield is taking over a program that has battled low turnout for the past few years, yet he understands that it takes time, patience and enthusiasm to help the program grow.

"I'm excited about the program and building it up," he said.

This may be Stanfield's first head coaching position, but he has a background with plenty of wrestling experience. A 1994 graduate of South Albany High School where he wrestled for four years, Stanfield continued his involvement with the sport after joining the Air Force.

While stationed in Alaska, Stanfield sought out the opportunity to work as an assistant with a topnotch high school team. His research lead him to Service High School which boasts a powerful tradition that includes state championships.

"The team had 60 to 70 wrestlers a year and I was one of six coaches, so I gained invaluable experience in the three years I worked with their program," he said.

After coming back to Oregon, Stanfield hoped to assist again, but when the job opportunity at Sisters arose, he put his name in the hat.

"I didn't expect to be a head coach so soon, but now that I am in the position I feel good about my decision," he said.

The number of athletes is low again this year, a problem which was compounded by the fact that the football team played until mid-December. However, Stanfield hopes a few football players, including veteran wrestler Thom Rivera, will still come out.

At present, Kenny Crain, who wrestles at 145 pounds, is the lone senior on the team. Juniors Josh Leason (130) and James McNellis (160) each have prior experience, as do sophomores Ted Hunt (140) and Matt Rivera (152). Katie Reznick (119), a sophomore, has also turned out for the team and is working very hard, according to Stanfield.

Sam Snider, Jason Willis (171), and Kelly Johnson (135) round out the current roster.

"We are wrestling at the sub-varsity level for most of the season, which will give our younger athletes a more competitive situation," said Stanfield. "However, we will be able to have our more experienced wrestlers entered at the varsity level so they will be able to compete at district as varsity athletes."

The team competed most recently at Stayton on Saturday, December 18. James McNellis, and Jason Willis each placed first in their weight classes at the Junior Varsity level, while Ted Hunt and Josh Leason each picked up runner-up finishes.

The next competition for the team is a home match against Woodburn on January 6 at 6 p.m.