Last year he made it to the state finals, this year he wants on the podium
By Zak Keefer
zkeefer@greenfieldreporter.com
FORTVILLE – When you reach one of the major goals you’ve set out for your high school career as a sophomore, a little reshuffling is in order.
Now, when you ask Mt. Vernon’s Jake McCarthy what he wants to accomplish come this February in the state wrestling tournament, his answer comes a little bit differently than how it would have a year ago at this time.
“This year, I don’t want to just make it to state, I want to make it on the podium,” he says. “That’s my goal and that’s what I’ve been working hard for.”
As he enters his junior campaign, the challenges will undoubtedly be there.
McCarthy, the lone MV qualifier for last year’s state finals, has moved up two weight classes for this year’s season, from 103 to 119 lbs. He said he’s ready for the jump.
Now, as a junior, he’s looked at as one of the leaders of this year’s Marauder team.
But most important, no matter how good of a season he has, if he fails to make it to state, the year will likely go down as a disappointment. Such is the trade-off of having such high pre-season expectations.
“We have a bunch of different leaders out here on this team,” he said before practice began Wednesday. “I try to lead by example—my work ethic, the time I put in during the summer trying to get better.”
His coach, Jason Smith, has seen a distinct change from the sophomore he knew last season.
“He’s really matured from last season and into this one,” Smith said. “He’s a lot stronger. He worked all summer long and his goal this year is to make it on that podium at state. That’s what his motivation is this year.”
McCarthy finished his sophomore campaign with a 29-13 record. He finished as runner-up in both the Shelbyville sectional and Perry Meridian regional, then placed fourth at the New Castle semi-state, earning a ticket to his first state finals.
He fell 4-0 in the state quarterfinals at Conseco Fieldhouse to Jay County’s Casey Kenney, the eventual state runner-up.
Smith cites McCarthy, whose father Mike is an assistant for the Marauders, as one of the team’s silent leaders.
“He leads by example through his actions,” Smith said. “Whenever you become an upperclassmen you seem to wrestle with more confidence.
“Jake’s already had a good amount of success so we hope he can build on that.”
Smith added that he didn’t think the weight class jump would deter McCarthy in the slightest.
He does, after all, face bigger teammates every day in practice.
“I think 119 is going to be good for him,” Smith said. “His body has matured and he’s getting stronger. It’s really only a couple of weights up and he wrestled guys at that weight all summer long.”
The MV coach said that McCarthy was just one of a handful of key returners this season for the Marauders. Add senior Logan Howard (125), junior Joal Mogollon (130) and junior Josh Williams (135) all to that list.
“These guys have wrestled together for a lot of years and I’m looking forward to coaching them all the way this year,” Smith said.
He added that there are a few that may surprise some people this season— wrestlers entering the year off the radar that have a very good chance at turning some heads.
“Two guys I foresee making a huge impact are Cody Morgan and Sam Balbach,” he said.
Morgan, a sophomore filling McCarthy’s shoes at the 103 spot, and Balbach, a sophomore at the 215 position, are on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of weight but will be key components if the Marauders are to attain their goal of a sectional title.
“Everyone wants to win,” Smith said, who added that he’s got the Jan. 6 meeting with Bloomington South circled on his calendar.
Smith, a South alumna, has yet to beat his high school coach Royce Deckard head-to-head.
“They always have an extremely good team,” Smith said. “And I haven’t been able to beat my mentor yet. I wouldn’t mind doing that this year.”
MV’s success will likely start with how McCarthy does as he transitions to the bigger weight class. He urged that despite however difficult it may be, he’s going to stick at 119.
Smith has faith in his leader.
“Everyone got better this summer,” Smith added. “Jake got extremely better.”
