Six years ago, Anthony Walker’s lack of game on the hardwood wound up benefiting another of Greenwood’s winter sports teams.
“I was scared to try out for the basketball team,” said Walker, a junior who has wrestled in the 160- and 152-pound divisions this season. “I just decided to do wrestling instead, and I ended up being pretty good and stuck with it.”
Walker, one of the wrestlers competing at the Johnson County tournament at Indian Creek on Saturday, is among the favorites at 152. He began the season at 160, winning nine of 10 matches (the lone loss being to Noah Baker of Perry Meridian, 5-3) before recently dropping a weight class.
His debut at 152 pounds took place last weekend at the Delta Duals in Muncie. Walker went 4-1, with all of his victories being pins. His loss was to Scottie Saylor of Fort Wayne Carroll, who is ranked ninth in the state.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
Walker made the move to a lower weight class after discussing it with Woodmen coach Jay Yates.
“We both talked about it, and we think I’ll be a stronger opponent at 152,” Walker said. “I want to be a state qualifier and hopefully place there. It’s going to take a lot of hard work in the practice room and just staying dedicated.”
Walker started his high school wrestling career at 132 pounds, posting a 21-19 record and qualifying for the Mooresville Regional. He returned to regional as a sophomore 145-pounder, finishing with a mark of 24-12.
Yates feels those experiences helped Walker and that the junior is primed to take the next step, be it at county, the Mid-State Conference tournament at Mooresville in January or in the postseason.
Walker was eliminated at regional both seasons by the same wrestler, who has since graduated.
“Anthony has definitely improved most on his feet. He’s gotten a lot better at getting takedowns. We’ve worked a lot on setups so that he can get in on his opponents’ legs more,” Yates said. “I could definitely see him as a county champ this year. I think that’s a realistic goal for him.
“Long term, definitely semistate and possibly the state finals this season. I think Anthony is at that level.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”If you go” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Johnson County meet
Where: Indian Creek High School
When: Saturday, 9 a.m.
Round 1: Indian Creek vs. Franklin; Greenwood vs. Whiteland
Round 2: Indian Greek vs. Greenwood; Center Grove vs. Whiteland
Round 3: Indian Creek vs. Center Grove; Greenwood vs. Franklin
Round 4: Greenwood vs. Center Grove; Franklin vs. Whiteland
Round 5: Whiteland vs. Indian Creek; Franklin vs. Center Grove
Admission: $5
[sc:pullout-text-end]
