Lone Senior leads Big Red Wrestling

My boy A.J. had this article written about him in our hometown paper this week.









I am so very proud of how hard he is working not only in Wrestling this year but he made the honor roll the first marking period as well. A.J.'s dad is a very big reason why A.j. is doing so well this year. He is right beside our boy's coaching them on in wrestling but also school work. I am proud of both of them.

Lone senior leads Big Red wrestling

Team veteran draws on lessons learned last season

By Brian Cox, Staff Writer

PUBLISHED: December 14, 2006

A.J. House is one-of-a-kind on the varsity wrestling team this year.

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He's the lone senior on a squad made up of 12 juniors, 10 sophomores and 11 freshmen.

Last year, the team graduated six seniors and a good deal of leadership went with them.

House then is the old guy on a young team.

And as such, his coaches are looking to him as a leader.

"I'm impressed with his leadership skills," said varsity wrestling coach Gary Jonseck. "He gives the younger kids someone to look up to."

It is House's second year on the varsity squad. This year he was named one of the team's four co-captains.

"He's doing just a marvelous job for us this year," Jonseck said. "He's giving us everything he's got."

Last year, House went 2-9, usually wrestling at 145. He recorded four takedowns and two falls.

It was a difficult season, but it was also a learning process for House, who appears to have learned the lessons well.

Only three dual meets in to the 2006 season and he has already doubled his number of wins over last year. His record stands at 5-4 and he has 10 takedowns and two falls.

"A.J. has been working really hard," Jonseck said. "He sets an excellent example of where hard work can get you."

In addition to hitting the weight room and conditioning, House wrestles two hours most Sunday and Tuesday nights with the Wolverine Wrestling Club.

The extra weight work and mat time is paying off for Milan's lone senior wrestler, Jonseck said.

Earlier this month, House took second at the Blissfield Tournament, where he wrestled at 160. He usually wrestles at 152.

House has helped lead the Big Reds to an early season dual record of 7-4, including a fifth-place team finish at the Blissfield Tournament.

"He's there when we need him," Jonseck said of House.