Frazier wrestling program could field full lineup this season

By Jonathan Guth

MVI Sports

Frazier lost one Lawrence, but will gain another, as Buck Watkins prepares for his fourth season at the helm leading the Commodores.

Thayne Lawrence, who is now wrestling at Lehigh University, helped put Frazier wrestling on the map the past four years, winning two state championships during his sophomore and junior years. 

Lawrence was second in the state last season and placed third as a freshman. Lawrence’s career high school record was 120-15.

Thayne may be gone, but his impact will not be forgotten, and his brother, Rune, comes in as a highly regarded freshman who won two junior high state championships.

“Thayne has impacted a lot of people in our program,” Watkins said. “I think he impacted his brother the most, and Rune is a mature freshman. We look for big things from him.”

The Lawrence brothers are not the only capable grapplers that have stepped inside the Commodore wrestling room, as senior Matthew Kordich and junior Jake Thomas return after qualifying for the regional tournament last season.

“Last year was a huge jump for Matthew and Jake,” Watkins said. “Matthew will probably bump up to heavyweight this year, and he is a very athletic kid. Jake really matured a lot and those guys have done a lot to help be leaders on and off the mat. Jake will probably wrestle around 120 or 126.

“We have some other freshmen that have wrestled before and are ready to make that jump to the high school team. The main goal will be to show their best effort and get better. I believe the rest will take care of itself.”

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