BUCYRUS (Crawford County Now) — Hayden Butcher added another milestone to his wrestling resume, picking up his 100th career victory at last weekend’s sectional tournament at Plymouth High School.
“It feels like a lot of pressure is off my back. I was supposed to get it earlier in the year,” he said. “I was kind of upset about that, but now I got it.”
The 215-pounder earned it during last weekend’s sectional tournament in Plymouth, where he placed second.
“It’s a lot of momentum going into districts. I’ve got nothing to lose being a junior,” he said.
Butcher opened some eyes with 37 wins as a freshman, then added 35 last season and 29 so far this winter.
His approach has changed somewhat this season.
“I feel like I’ve gotten a lot more aggressive. I’m not scared of losing,” he said.
“I just go out and wrestle and, like coach said, using the double-leg. It’s a good move and it takes a lot of strength and conditioning.”
Continued improvement
Despite his success, Butcher continues to work on his game.
“Mostly my top and trying to keep the guy down. Like in overtime with Alex Young (Seneca East). I lost because I let him get out,” he said referring to the Northern 10 Athletic Conference tournament.
“That’s what I feel I need to work on.”
Head coach Shane Kokensparger used one word to describe a wrestler with 100 wins.
“It’s consistency. For Hayden he’s going to win 30-plus matches all three years. He’s very consistent with this training. He’s a weight room rat. He loves the iron,” he said.
“It was a big weight drop. He made a goal to get his weight down. He’s placed top three at every tournament. He lost to a projected state third-placer by one point at the JC Gorman.”
Butcher is driven by being physical.
“He’s worked with Kyle Blankenship and with Matt Makeever, the bigger guys. They wrestle a little differently. The positioning, how to wrestle the edge.
“Hayden’s banging the head a little bit more,” Kokensparger said referencing a common wrestling technique.
But it also could apply to his grappler’s taste in music.
Butcher usually sports his Metallica T-shirt over his singlet before a match and admits he’s a thrash metal music fan.
“I like to listen a lot of Slayer before I wrestle. It gets me motivated.”
Training regimen
Working out daily with Hayden Ginn has helped both wrestlers.
“Hayden’s a heavyweight. He might not be the fastest wrestling partner, but he matches my strength. He helps me finish the harder spots,” Butcher said.
“I’m fast for a bigger guy and he’s not going to see that as much. Seeing someone out there who’s going to shoot on you, it helps you get better at defending it.”
Butcher is known for being a weight room devotee.
“I think weightlifting means a lot in everything you do. No matter what sport you’re going to play, being stronger than your opponent helps.”
On the gridiron, Butcher registered 96 total tackles and 23 tackles for loss. He was chosen second team all Northern 10 Athletic Conference at linebacker.
He’s added muscle mass since seventh grade due to his 3-day-a-week lifting routine, sometimes starting at 6 a.m.
“I usually take the weekends off or the day before a match. Like when we went to the Sally George. It was a two-day event. I held it off on Thursday and didn’t push myself.”
Keeping his weight at 215 pounds, after starting off at 237, requires discipline.
“I got really sick earlier and it helped me cut down a lot of weight. I cut out a lot of junk foods. I try not to eat after 9 or 10 p.m. and get to bed.”
A bit of junk food is allowed on the menu.
“We eat a lot of pizza at my house,” he joked. “I also like fudge.”
Next challenge
Heading into districts, Butcher thinks he may have an edge.
“A lot of seniors are going to be scared. They’ve got a lot to lose, and I’ve got nothing to lose,” he said. “Get them a little jumpy and go out and not be afraid to score.”
He will face Bluffton junior Mason Shank (40-6) in the quarterfinal round. The top four placers in each weight class advance to the state tournament March 13-15 at The Schottenstein Center.
Butcher qualified for districts as a freshman, but an injury hurt his chances last season. He was fifth at sectionals.
This year, it’s been different.
“He took second at sectionals and he’s lost two overtime matches to Young. Hayden gave up a reversal in the second overtime. We had to go to a neutral position,” Kokensparger said.
Work ethic is a factor, according to his coach.
“Even if he doesn’t feel well, he’s here. He lifts in the morning and does extra lifts with the team after practice.”
Team accomplishments
He won’t be alone at districts.
A quintet of teammates — James Wills (113), Camden Redmon (126), Grady Weber (144), Isaac Makeever (175) and Ginn (285) — will take to the mats at Rossford Friday and Saturday. Weber got his 100th win earlier in the season.
Kokensparger is pleased with his squad’s success.
“We structured our schedule to make sure everyone can peak at the right time, get healthy and get ready for tournaments. We’ve had minimal injuries — tweaks, twists, bumps and bruises. The pace at which we practice wasn’t as intense as in the past.”
“What can you say about Cam. He’s 43-2 and he’s projected sixth in the state and third in our district,” he said.
“J-Will last year won three matches. This year he’s got 19 wins. It’s overall improvement.”
The veteran coach said the team came together this season.
“It’s not that we have just one kid who’s a leader. They’ve gotten along a lot better, and it starts with the seniors on down,” Kokensparger said.
“They really merged and got along better at tournaments. We had aggressive practices sometimes. But at the end, they shook hands and are friends off the mat.”
Kokensparger said he has a coaching staff that understands the dynamics of every wrestler.
“Sometimes if I’m overstimulated, they will take the chair. If they’re amped up, I pull them out. We’re able to read each other and it’s helped the success of the program.
“When Kyle and I took over six years ago we had five kids. Next year we will have a full team, plus,” he added. “People are starting to realize we’ve got a damn good wrestling program here.”