Dec 6, 2016 3 min read

Life without Mike Carr begins Friday for South Fayette’s wrestling team.

That’s when the high school wrestling season opens.

Carr, who won two consecutive PIAA Class AA titles, has moved on after graduation. With him went 43 wins as a senior and a school-record 161 in his career.

Worse, Carr was one of seven starters for the Lions who graduated from last year’s third-place team in the WPIAL Team Tournament. Those starters combined for 252 bout wins and produced a section title.

“You don’t replace a two-time state champ,” said South Fayette head coach Rick Chaussard. “Hopefully, by committee, we can make up for the losses.”

Carr accepted a full scholarship to Illinois and suffered a knee injury at a workout there that required surgery. He is working his way back and hopes to return in January.

“The biggest thing he passed on was his work ethic,” said Chaussard. “When we did our drills every day, he went at it at a very high pace. He forced whoever was practicing with him to go at that pace, too. He would show little things here and there. He worked very well with the youth. He was a very good teacher.”

Chaussard said most people didn’t realize all the work Carr put in to reach state champion status or the pressure Carr put on himself to repeat.

“Last year was a little different than this year because we expected him to make the state tournament and place high,” said Chaussard. “Once you make No. 1, there isn’t any place higher to go. It was just maintain where you’re at. He would work out constantly, even after practice. His work ethic was second to none. He would work out with his brothers, and he would work out with whoever would come to his house and work out with him.”

The Lions Carr left behind are still talented but need some of the younger wrestlers to improve to match last season’s success.

“We are in an unusual situation because we have 14 freshmen,” said Chaussard. “We’ll keep five and three will probably start.”

South Fayette lost its middleweight punch with Carr (145), Shane Ging (138) and Ben Previte (152) graduating. So is the 1-2 finishing pop of Cory Suppan and Rasaun Culberson.

Mike Cusick, a junior who was 31-15 at 160 last season, is back as is junior Joe Bastoroli, who was 19-20 at 182. The remainder of the upper weights will be inexperienced.

“He is our biggest returnee,” said Chaussard. “This is the first time he won’t have to cut weight. He had to last year to find a spot in the lineup. This will be at a weight where he’s comfortable, 45 or 52. He wrestled 60 last year because he couldn’t hold the weight (from 132) anymore.”

Junior Colin Dunn, a 30-bout winner at 106 last season, returns as does senior Cam Hoover (12-9 at 160).

“We’re hoping Hoover can step up,” Chaussard said. “He missed his sophomore year with knee surgery and came back last year. We’re looking for a group effort to pick up the slack.

“Our goal is going to be the same, win a WPIAL championship.”