The Rye High School boys wrestling team has displayed promise this season.
Coach Brian Scher’s team won their latest match, 47-18, Wednesday against Harrison, improving to 12-8 in dual meets this season. That record becomes even more impressive with the context that Scher’s team is a young one that doesn’t have athletes competing in every weight class.
Such conditions are not typically indicative of dual meet success, let alone holding a winning record in dual meet competition. It speaks to Scher’s efforts, as well as the outstanding athletes he does have on this year’s team.
“We expect to shine in the second half [of the season], as we have some standout individuals who will do well in individual tournaments,” Scher said. “Jason Gaylord, Ronan Sutter and Jack Anderson have all had great seasons. Jack Anderson was 19-3 with 19 pins in December.”
There have been highlights and lowlights this season for the Garnets.
In the Dec. 28 Pearl River Tournament, Gaylord finished first in his weight class, taking home the gold medal. Anderson and Sutter each reeled in bronze medals for their performances. Sutter had an additional moment of glory during the Carlucci Duals on Dec. 21, when he defeated the defending section champion Jesse Strauss, from Pleasantville.
Scher says that a notable disappointment this season was when his team lost to Clarkstown South, 36-33, in a dual meet. That match was part of the Bernie Miller Duals, Rye’s home tournament for the season. The loss ultimately led to the team earning a third-place finish on the day, with a 4-1 record in the tournament.
As far as the rest of the season goes, Scher has specific aims in mind, both for an impressive freshman class and for a group of upperclassmen with grand designs on how they’d like their seasons to end.
“The freshman class is very tough,” Scher said. “[There is] lots of talent. My goal is to develop them so that they will be strong contributors next year. The junior class – Ronan Sutter, Jason Gaylord, Jack Anderson and returning section finalist CJ Luth – all have opportunities to succeed at sections and/or states.”
