Penhollow leads Pam Pack team looking to make a statement

Gone are the days of head coach Dan Riggs, state runner-up Devon Van Cura and standout wrestler Thomas Remick. Now, for the first time in a decade, the Pam Pack wrestling team begins its season under new leadership, on and off the mats, as head coach Chris Penhollow prepares to lead a new crop of young talent through a tough slate of scheduled games.

Penhollow inherits a collection of returning state qualifiers he plans to lean on in 2015, beginning with Jacob Smith, a 106-pound sophomore who earned a No. 6-seed in last spring’s NCHSAA Class 2-A state tournament. But more is expected out of Smith than simply consistent production on the mats this season. Penhollow is looking to Smith to be a mentor to Marcus Sneed, an undersized 103-pound freshman who has showcased considerable talent this preseason. If all goes as planned, Sneed should provide the team with flexibility in the lower weight classes, cementing himself in the 106-pound slot, allowing Smith to wrestle at 113.

Other cornerstones of this team include Kyle Krajewski, wrestling in the 220-pound weight class, and Jordan Grazier, a senior who sat out last season after an appendectomy.

“If you can get all 14 spots filled, you give yourself a good chance to have a fighting chance in a dual matchup,” Penhollow said. “We hit the ground running, talked to them a little bit about individual goals for the kids we have in place here. Then we talked about some team stuff. It’s been a long time since we’ve won a conference championship as the school. That’s one realistic goal for this team, to win a conference championship.”

Of course, to win the first Eastern Plains Conference championship in school history, the Pam Pack will have to get past Farmville Central, Penhollow’s previous coaching position. The Jaguars got the better of Washington in 2014 and even under new leadership, should be a formidable opponent this season. But Penhollow, always realistic in his thinking, said his roster has exceeding his initial expectations, thus far.

“We have a good group of people helping and to be honest with you, we have a stronger group of kids than I had originally anticipated,” he said. “(Riggs) had four studs who were seniors who kind of carried the team. We have some good, quality kids and are able to fill all the weight classes, which in wrestling is half the battle. If you can get all 14 spots filled, you give yourself a good chance to have a fighting chance in a dual matchup.”

Along with the new faces is a new coaching staff to help the Pam Pack through the period of transition. Justin Moore, a former Pam Pack wrestler and state champions, Kelly Jones and Gabe Gardner are helping reshape the program behind the scenes.

Washington opens its season this evening against North Lenoir in Institute. The team will then travel to West Craven High School on Saturday for the Fall Beach Brawl Meet.