Senior Focus - Seth Kisner

Senior Seth Kisner is in his 2nd year on the Southern Garrett Wrestling Team.  He is just coming off an MVP season on the football team and is looking to do the same for the Rams this winter.  As a first year wrestler last season, Seth made his way into the varsity starting line-up and had one of the most successful seasons a first year wrestler has ever had at Southern.  This winter, Seth has been elected team captain and looks to lead his team to a very successful 2013/2014 wrestling season.

Q&A with Seth Kisner

1. When did you start wrestling?  "I came out for wrestling as a junior last season.  It was harder than I thought but I loved it."
2. Why did you choose wrestling?  "I started wrestling because I was told it would help me with my football career.  I think they were right because I had a pretty good year."
3. What are your goals for this season?  "I would love to make it to the state tournament and hopefully place there.  I went and watched last March and decided right then that it was something I was going to work hard to achieve."
4. Who inspires you?  "My brother Matt inspires me because he is like really good at just about everything he does."
5. What wrestler do you admire most?  "I would have to say Austin Shaffer.  He is a state champion and I watched him wrestle injured last year at states which was pretty amazing."
6. Who would you like to thank?  "My parents for sure.  They have been amazing, supporting me all the way through football and wrestling and everything else.  I also want to thank all my coaches who have helped me succeed."
7. What are your plans after high school?  "I plan on going to college and study to become a cop.  I also plan to play football while I am there.  I have been looking at colleges and will make my decision this winter."
8. Do you have any advice for new wrestlers?  "Work hard, hang in there, listen to your coaches and never give up.  It is a tough sport but it is so much fun.  There will be some bad days, some hard days but in the end, it is all worth it."
9. Any final comments?  "It is going to be a great year and we have a great team and we are shooting for another state title for Southern Wrestling."

 

Paver Samples

 

It's easy!  Scroll through these sample engraved pavers, decide what you want to say and where the brick will be placed then send us an E-MAIL and a check and you're done.  Click here for complete pricing details.

 

Support Southern Athletics by purchasing a 4x8 engraved brick paver.
It will be placed in a newly created seating area at the gym entrance at Southern High.

We want all Southern Wrestling Alumni to have their own brick.

Each sport will have their own special area to honor current and former players.

Memorial bricks can honor loved ones.

Be creative, say what you feel!

Larger, different colored bricks will be used to create a big SG in the center of the area and provide excellent exposure.

Click here to order your brick paver today!





Coach Sean Sisler

 
Sean "Biggie" Sisler has joined our coaching staff this season.  Sean is a 2008 graduate of Southern Garrett High School and was a 4 year starter in the heavyweight class for the Rams wrestling team.  During his high school career, Sisler qualified for the state tournament three times and joined the 100 win club in his senior season.  Sean placed 4th at the state tournament twice and during his junior year (2007), he reached the state finals and finished in second place.  That year, he joined Daniel Carr, Justin Ratliff and Brutus Scheffel in the state finals to lead the Rams to a 2nd place team finish in the state.  At the time, 4 wrestlers in the finals tied the state record that we would break two years later.  Josh Armstrong also placed 3rd that year allowing all 5 of our qualifiers to finish the tournament in the top three in their weight classes.  Scheffel won his first of four straight state championships in 07.

 

"Having Sean in the room, working with the bigger guys on our team will be a ready big help" stated Coach Clark.  "He knows how heavyweights wrestle and he can really help our big guys become much better wrestlers" Clark added.  If you see "Biggie" at Lowes, around town or at the school, please thank him for helping out our team.

   

Senior Focus - Tanner Massey

Tanner Massey is the son of Wes and Yolanda Massey and is a four year member of the Southern Garrett wrestling team.  He was a varsity starter during his sophomore and junior years and he looks to lead the team to a successful season as a senior.  Last year, Tanner posted an impressive 26-14 record and qualified for the state tournament in March.  In the fall, he ran on Southern's cross country team to keep himself in shape as he enters his final high school wrestling season.

Q&A with Tanner Massey

1. When did you start wrestling?  "I started wrestling in the 1st grade for the Southern Mat Club.  My friend Coy Ozias talked me into it.  I didn't know anything about it, but I had fun and kept going."
2. Why did you stick with it?  "I had fun and it's a great sport.  I also like to be challenged and wrestling is the perfect sport to be challenged and to challenge myself."
3. Who are your inspirations?  "All my coaches inspire me and work every day to help me be a better wrestler.  I can't thank them enough.  Bubba and Brutus Scheffel and Coy and Lex Ozias also inspire me.  They are great wrestlers and great kids and we have been friends forever."
4. Who would you like to thank?  "I want to thank all the coaches who have worked with me, trained me and encouraged me to be a good wrestler.  I also want to thank my parents for always supporting me and being there for me.  Finally, I would like to thank all my teammates for making the whole thing fun and pushing me to work hard and get better."
5. Do you have any words of wisdom for other wrestlers?  "Push yourself.  You will get sore and tired, but you need to push yourself past that.  Things will get better, you will get better.  Push yourself every day and you will be surprised at how good you can get."
6. Who will be our team's leaders this year?  "Austin Shaffer is a great wrestler and leads by example.  Will Foulke and Justyce Fulmer are also really good at leading by example.  In fact, all of our seniors set a great example for our younger wrestlers.  I hope I can be a great team leader as well."
7. What goals have you set for the season?  "I will work hard this year and really want to make it to the state finals, and hopefully win.  But I really want the team to do well and go to states and win a championship.  We have a good team and that's what we all want."
8. What will you do after you graduate?  "On June 16th, I will enter the Marine Corps.  I have already signed all the papers and I am ready to go to Paris Island this summer and begin serving our country."

Senior Focus - Austin Shaffer

Senior Austin Shaffer is the son of Joe and Kim Shaffer of Oakland.  Austin has wrestled on varsity each of the last three years and has qualified for states every year.  As a freshman, Austin wrestled at 112 despite weighing less than 100 pounds.  He had a very successful season, qualified for states and was one match away from placing.  As a sophomore, he went all the way and captured the state championship in the 106 pound class.  Last season, he suffered an elbow injury in the state tournament but was still able to place 3rd.  As he enters his final season at Southern Garrett, his sights are set on a repeat trip to the top of the podium in March at Cole Fieldhouse.  His career record currently stands at 113-13 and the win total looks to rise quickly this season.

Q&A with Austin Shaffer

1. When did you start wrestling?  "I started wrestling for the Southern Mat Club somewhere around the 3rd or 4th grade.  I picked wrestling because I knew I was too small for most other sports.  I started going and I fell in love with it."
2. Who inspires you?  "Of course Coach Taylor!  My mom and dad are also a huge inspiration to me in wrestling and in my life.  I wouldn't be here without them"
3. Who will be the team leaders this year?  I hope to be a strong senior leader and I think Tanner Massey and the rest of the seniors on our team will do a great job"
4. What wrestler has had the biggest influence on you?  "I would have to say Daniel Carr.  He was a great wrestler and a great role model and has been like a big brother to me.  He has really helped me both in wrestling and in my life."
5. What are your goals this season?  "I am shooting for another state championship both as an individual and for our team.  I think we have a really good team and have a great shot at winning state duals again."
6. What advice would you give new wrestlers?  "High school wrestling is awesome. It is so much different and so much better than youth wrestling.  Home meets are amazing and get a little scary but you have to rise above."
7. What would you say to anyone thinking of joining our team?  "Do it, you will be glad you did.  It is so unique, just you and your opponent and nobody else.  It's MANO-A-MANO and is great for building your self-confidence,"
8. What will you do after graduating from Southern?  "I will attend West Virginia University and wrestle with two of my former teammates, Bubba and Brutus Scheffel.  I will study Wildlife and Park Services."
9. Is there anything else you would like to say?  "Here is a warning to other teams, Southern is looking good and you had better be ready for us.  Here come the Rams." 

Senior Focus - Justyce Fulmer

Senior, Justyce Fulmer is entering his 4th year as a member of the Southern Garrett wrestling team.  He wrestled on the varsity squad for a good part of the 2012/2013 season and posted a solid 8-7 record.  He has spent a ton of time in the weight room during the off season and is ready for his final year to begin.  We sat down with Justyce this week to talk about the season and his career.

Q&A with Justyce Fulmer

1. Why do you wrestle?  "I started wrestling to get in shape and I fell in love with the sport.  It is hard work but so much fun.  Staying in shape is really important to me and wrestling is perfect for me"
2. When did you start wrestling?  "I started wrestling for the Southern Mat Club in the 6th grade and spent all three middle school years wrestling for them"
3. Who is your inspiration?  "My dad.  He encourages me and inspires me."
4. What's your advice for Freshmen? "Never give up.  There will be times that are tough, but don't give up.  In the end, you will be glad you did."
5. What is your advice to potential wrestlers?  "Do it, you'll love it!"
6. What are you goals for this season?  "My goal for myself is to make it to the state tournament.  I know I can do it if I work hard in practice.  My goal for the team is a state championship.  We have a good team and I hope we can do it"
7. What do you dislike about wrestling?  "Nothing, I love it all."
8. What is your most memorable moment?  "When I filled in on varsity and wrestled the kid from Northern.  I was told not to get pinned and I went out there, fought hard and did my job.  Everyone was really happy"
9. Who will lead the team this year?  "We have a great group of seniors including state champ Austin Shaffer and state qualifier Tanner Massey.  I hope to join them, and the rest of the seniors, leading our team to a state championship"
10. What will you do after graduation?  "Live a happy life!"

Which Quote Gets Your Vote?

We would like to include a famous (or not so famous) quote on our team's t-shirt this season.  You can cast your vote on our Facebook page or by leaving a comment here.  If you have any suggestions other than those listed below, you can also add them here or on Facebook.  Thanks for your help!

1. "There is no better feeling than leaving practice knowing you got better"  -  David Taylor, Penn State NCAA Champion
2. "What did you do to get better today?"  -  Kyle Dake, 4X NCAA Champion
3. "Wake up every morning with a purpose and desire to achieve something great"  -  David Taylor, Penn State NCAA Champion
4. "The love of competition not taught, it is caught"  -  Cael Sanderson, 4X NCAA Champion, Olympic Champion, Head Coach @ Penn State
5. "Stay patient, stay hungry.  It's never too late to be great"  -  Jordan Burroughs, NCAA Champion, Olympic Champion
6. "There are 1440 minutes in a day, only SIX of them matter"  -  Unknown
7. "If there is still time on the clock, there is still time to WIN"  -  Unknown
8. "Take pride in how far you have come, have faith in how far you can go"  -  Unknown
9. "Only surround yourself with people who will lift you up"  -  Unknown
10. "A circle is my battlefield, where I fight to survive"  -  Willie Madison
11. "I think all great wrestlers appreciate a good BATTLE"  -  Kyle Dake, 4X NCAA Champion
12. "Keep Calm and Sprawl Hard"  -  Unknown

Select your favorite and post the number as a comment on our Facebook post.  Thanks again.

Why Football Players Should Wrestle

It's "Northern Week" on the football field and only 11 days until wrestling season begins.  We saw this story and thought we would share the information.  Thanks for reading our blog and best wishes to the Rams this Friday night against the Huskies.

It's been said many times, "Football players should wrestle and visa versa"

Wrestling improves agility, speed and strength

Could it be that many football players are "missing the boat" off-season.  To make a point, I'd like you to consider the following true story of many, many years ago. 



A wrestler learns to tackle better.

There was a football coach from a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania who was anxious about keeping some of his players in condition during the winter months.  Of course, his ends and backfield personnel were participating in basketball, but what about the offensive and defensive linemen?  Then an idea struck him like a sledgehammer--"Why not start a wrestling program for the bigger and, often less agile players!" Well, he did and his wrestling teams became so good that they had to compete with college freshmen. Oh, I almost forgot to mention, his powerful football units of the past are still the subject of conversation amongst his local townspeople. 

What does wrestling have to offer an aspiring football candidate?   Primarily, it teaches him "self-reliance"--the ability to make things happen without expecting help from others. 

As with football, success in wrestling takes a group effort

A pigskin participant learns (via the mat sport) that although there are 10 of his peers on the field with him, he must perform his duties at all times. and not lean on his teammates for support when fatigued.

And that's not all.  In the wrestling room, he improves his agility, coordination, quickness, upper body strength, and stamina--to name just a few benefits.  So, if you have a son who's a tackle or guard and he's spending most of the snow season on his duff, suggest wrestling.  He'll be a much better football player.

 

"Ten Good Reasons for Football Players to Wrestle."

1. Agility--The ability of one to change the position of his body efficiently and easily.
2. Quickness--The ability to make a series of movements in a very short period of time.
3. Balance--The maintenance of body equilibrium through muscular control.
4. Flexibility--The ability to make a wide range of muscular movements.
5. Coordination--The ability to put together a combination of movements in a flowing rhythm.
6. Endurance--The development of muscular and cardiovascular-respiratory stamina.
7. Muscular Power (explosiveness)--The ability to use strength and speed simultaneously.
8. Aggressiveness--The willingness to keep on trying or pushing your adversary at all times.
9. Discipline--The desire to make the sacrifices necessary to become a better athlete and person.
10. A Winning Attitude--The inner knowledge that you will do your best - win or lose.

Wrestling and Football builds winners on the field, on the mat and in life.

Special thanks to Brandy Guy for allowing us to "borrow" this story (that she borrowed herself) and to Alex Flanigan for providing the amazing photos.

2013-2014 Schedule

Date                Opponent                                           Location         Time             

Dec. 7              Oakdale/Allegany                              Allegany         4:00pm

Dec. 9              Frankfort                                           Northern        6:00pm          

Dec. 11            Martinsburg/Hyndman                    Home              6:00pm          

Dec. 20/21       Musselman Duals                              Away              TBD

Jan. 3/4           Super Duals                                       Fort Hill          4pm               

Jan. 10/11       Hub Cup                                            N. Hag            2:00pm


Jan. 14            Super Duals, Day 2                           Fort Hill         3:00pm

Jan. 17            Brunswick                                          Home              2:00pm

Jan. 21            Allegany/Martinsburg                     Home              6:00pm          

Jan. 22            Fort Hill / Keyser                               Fort Hill          6:00pm      


Jan. 28              Northern                                          Away             7:00pm    

Jan. 29            South Hagerstown                             Away              6:00pm          

Jan. 30            Northern                                            Home              7:00pm

Feb. 6              Mt Ridge                                            Home              7:00pm

Feb. 8              Williamsport                                      Away              2:00pm

Feb. 12            Regional Duals                                  TBA

Feb. 15            State Duals                                         North Point    1:00pm

Feb. 22            Bi-County Tournament                    Southern        10:00am

Feb. 28            Regional Tournament                       Williamsport  10:00am         

 

Mar. 7/8          State Tournament                             UMD 

 

Jan. 17 vs. Brunswick is The White Out in-school match

 

Scrimmages

Nov. 29           Meyersdale                                          Away               9:00am