2007 - 2008 Season Outlook

The 2007 - 2008 Raider Wrestling Program is returning 7 starters from a team that finished a surprising 2nd in last year's District Tournament.

  A combination of youth and experience will lead the Raiders, looking to build upon last season's success.

"What I'm really looking forward to is the improvement from a summer's worth of work," Head Coach Chad Parker said.  "Consistently, we had about 20 guys in the wrestling room during our club season.  The last time that was the case, Orange Park had pretty good teams. The senior class really set an example during those summer months, and they will be expected to do even more during the season.  They will have to lead by example, set the tone.  On a daily basis.  Thankfully, they are capable.  This team will go as far as this senior class takes them."

The team slogan this year is "A Higher Standard."  The slogan is a direct challenge to all involved with the Orange Park Wrestling Team to make a commitment to excellence on the mat, in the classroom and in the community. 

Returning for the Raiders will be seniors Jason Malta, Gabriel Herrera, Anthony Owens, Matt Thompson, juniors Mike Miller and Will Shockley, and sophomore Pat Laniel.

As a sophomore Malta was a State Runner-up, but an eye injury sustained in shop class left him unable to compete as a junior. With one year remaining and an eye on the 119 lb class, Malta has his sights set on one goal - to be at the top of the podium.

"The only question with Malta, is, will he return to form," Parker said.  "He missed an entire year's worth of training.  While other guys were getting better, he had to sit."

Shockley and Laniel will be moving up in weights this season, presumably the 125 and 130 lb weight classes.  The junior and sophomore, respectively, are feared cross country runners who excel in grinding out opponents.  Their condition is such that, no matter what the score, heading into the third period they are, by far, much more able to attack and score than their opponent.

"None of the kids in our program will have a problem with conditioning," Parker said.  "But these two [Shockley and Laniel] take it to another level.  Participating on the Cross Country team has given them a unique perspective when it comes to being tired.  They don't GET tired.  Plus, they aren't your typical Cross Country guys.  They are really, really strong for their size.  If I'm not mistaken, Shockley put up 205 lbs on the bench press this summer."

Looking to make one of the fastest improvements in possibly the history of Orange Park Wrestling is Herrera.  Last year, as a junior in his first year of wrestling, he was a Regional Qualifier.  This year, at 140 lbs, Herrera will be looking to take that next step and compete in the State Tournament.

"I'm not sure I've ever seen a wrestler improve as fast as Herrera has," Parker said.  "But it's not magic.  This summer he really put in a lot of work.  He's not the same wrestler he was a year ago.  Not even close.  Wrestling Freestyle and Greco this summer added a lot of moves to his repertoire."

Finishing a heartbreaking, one match away from being able to compete in the State Tournament, senior Anthony Owens will be seeking to make that next step.  One of the most athletic students in the entire Orange Park High senior class, the possible 145 lber's  ability to scramble out of danger positions into positions of strength is a norm.

"He's [Owens] been around a long time and has probably wrestled more matches than about half the team combined," Parker said.  "He loves wrestling and he loves to compete.  His goals are high and he seems willing to match the work required to reach those goals."

Matt Thompson returns after spending his summer in Army Basic Training, finishing boot camp as one of the top in his class.  Considered the hardest worker, Thompson is known for his 3rd period attacks.  He will likely compete at 152 lbs.

"To have a kid on multiple occasions, score 10 takedowns in a span 2 minutes is simply amazing," Parker said.  "Matt Thompson doesn't quit, doesn't stop attacking.  No lead is safe when you are wrestling him.  I've seen guys quit, and I mean just quit when he turns it on in the third period.  Most guys can't keep up."

Returning at 215 lbs is Mike "Ohio" Miller.  Last year, the Ohio transfer made significant strides in both the mental and physical aspects of the sport.  Last season Miller normally weighed in at a light 190bs, but through committing to lifting weights this summer, he now consistently weighs in at 218 lbs before practice.

"Athletically, it doesn't get much better than this kid, especially at such a high weight class," Parker said.  "Mentally, he has to decide on a match by match basis to wrestle at his best."

Also looking to make impacts on the team are rising freshman Abdullah Salem (103 lbs), Jordan Muntain (112 lbs) and Levi Duvall (145 lbs).