Milan Indian wrestlers honored
Gary Franklin
SPORTS EDITOR
On Friday evening, March 14, the Milan High School Cafetorium was filled with wrestlers, parents, coaches, and guests for the Milan Wrestling Annual Awards and Recognition Program and meal.
GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO
Pictured left from right, Milan HS Head Wrestling Coach Bob Riley is joined by assistant Adrian Wilburn, as awards are presented to the MHS wrestlers. Following presentations, Riley announced that he would not be returning as the Milan Indian High School head wrestling coach next season.
Old Man Winter or Mother Nature was not a friend to the wrestling program this winter with ice and snow forcing cancellations of many regularly scheduled events, including MHS’s annual 6-Way Meet at the end of the season.
Other sports took a hit with the cancellations and postponements, but none like wrestling since getting several schools to reschedule for the same date is nearly impossible.
The current Milan wrestling program is divided into three major categories. The Tribe team includes the youngest wrestlers through junior high, the junior high or middle school team, and the high school team for freshmen through seniors.
The programs have strong backing and continues to grow in numbers. Retired Coach Roy Adams introduced the wrestling program to Milan years ago.
Coach Adams’ team coaching prowess earned him honored induction and membership into the Indiana Coaches Hall of Fame.
Known as the “Father of Milan Wrestling,” Coach Adams continues to offer assistance to the program and the Milan community youth wrestling program.
Indian Wrestling 2014
Following an opening welcome by Tribe Head Coach Rob Burdette, the wrestlers enjoyed a meal cooked in the backyard. After the meal, Head Coach Burdette introduced this year’s assistant coaches who included Travis Wilburn, Adrian Wilburn and Rodney Barker.
Pleased with the young wrestlers performance and progress, Burdette introduced each member of the team, speaking of their individual accomplishments. Among those were four wrestlers who earned the opportunity to compete in the sanctioned ISWA Meet.
The four ISWA contenders included: Pee Wee Class, Mathew Baylor; Pee Wee 45, Hunter Stevens; Bantam 55, Conner Myers; and Intermediate 70, Ashtin Myers.
Cayden Green duplicated his success from last year, going undefeated and adding a second Cincinnati Youth Wrestling City champ.
Despite their shortened season, the Indians are once again privileged with an invitation to wrestle in the IHSAA sanctioned Indiana State Team Wrestling Meet.