t’s been a topic of conversation for many sports enthusiasts in Newcastle as the school system grows, but for wrestling fans the 2023-24 season brings the move from Class 4A to Class 5A.
The Racers, which lost seasoned veterans Randy Nix, Blake Johnson and Max Rhinehart to graduation last year, will compete in District 2 of Class 5A along with Elgin, Southeast, and Eisenhower (Lawton).
Coach Zach Hale, now in his 12th year at Newcastle, said the wrestling program had 47 kids in the room before football was over, and he was expecting another 10-11 from the football program.
“What we are doing is spreading,” Hale said. “People are wanting to be a part of what’s going on.”
Hale said he expects to have about six senior boys and five senior girls, but he has a big class of freshmen coming up. He also has a senior move-in and a junior move-in from South Dakota.
“They saw some success in their seventh and eight grade years,” Hale said.
Hale said being in Class 5A, the competition is “kind of open-ended. There will be tough teams here and there, but there’s always going to be a fighting chance.”
Newcastle is expected to start the dual season with all of its weights — from 106 pounds to heavyweight — filled up.
“There will be some close duals in Class 5A in comparison to Class 4A,” Hale said. “There should be some that come down to a one-point difference.”
Hale, who is in his 12th year coaching at Newcastle, brings a winning tradition in his role. One of his biggest accolades was being named Class 4A Coach of the Year, and then a year later being named the All-State Coach, but Hale likes to keep the focus on his athletes.
“It’s not about my wins and losses, it’s about helping the athletes with their goals,” Hale said. Senior Shane Lovejoy returns this year for the Racers. He is a three-time State Qualifier, but just hasn’t placed yet, Hale said. The coach said freshman Gage Stark, who wrestles at either 106 or 113, will have a good showing. “It will be a transition from junior high to high school, but he’s been wrestling long enough to make the transition,” Hale said. There are other wrestlers who also have good skills, according to the coach. At the pre-season Mark Peck Tournament, several Racers placed, including some junior high. They were: Nicolaus Lozano, 1st; Colton Dobbs, 1st; Jaxon Mitchell, 2nd; Jackson Brooks, 2nd; Hayden Archie, 3rd; Trinity Duran, 3rd; Dorothy Bledsoe, 3rd; Aundrea Estrada, 3rd; Gage Stark, 4th; Jaron Webb, 4th; Tatum McDaniel, 4th; and Carson Kuhlman, 4th.
A second preseason tournament was at Southmoore. The Racers begin duals action with Carl Albert and then Chickasha. Hale said Carl Albert finished number one in Class 5A for individuals last year, and Chickasha might be the “top dog” this year in Class 5A.
Hale said, “We’re starting out with some difficult competition.”
