Small numbers, big results at Larkin High

Less can be more.

The Larkin wrestling team has proved that statement to be true this year. The Royals, operating the majority of the season with a varsity roster of seven (now eight for the postseason), won 10 dual-meet matches and, more importantly, took fifth in the Upstate Eight Conference with that limited lineup.

That improvement, which included senior 130-pound standout Tony Feliciano winning an individual UEC championship, has the Royals excited about Saturday's Class 3A regional at Elgin High School.

"We've got kids that have been here the whole time," said third-year Larkin head coach Mike Mulhearn. "These juniors and seniors have wrestled here the whole time they have been here at school. They've made improvements with their off-season training and lifting and with off-season matches. We've got more guys on the varsity that have been here every day and have worked hard. That's been the difference."

In addition to Feliciano (36-3 overall), senior Cameron Tanner is 28-13 at 140 pounds, while junior Tim Einhorn is 25-7 at 135. Senior Edir Nevarez (sectional alternate in 2008) is 23-17 at 285, while junior Jordan Perez has 19 wins at 171 and junior Patrick Lipscomb has 18 wins at 125. Senior Gavin Dillehay has 15 wins at 160 and junior Cam Martin is 6-1 at 215.

Einhorn, Tanner (sectional alternate in 2008) and Martin each took third place at the UEC tournament.

"We're doing real well for how small the team is," said Einhorn. "It's been because of a lot of hard work. We've put a lot of time in the weight room this year. This year has been a lot more satisfying. We've been working that much harder this year. This is a real good building block. Coach is dedicated and motivated to get us out there and do well."

Tanner doesn't focus on the team's size.

"We're doing fine. We're just out there working hard," said Tanner. "The size of the team doesn't really matter. All that matters is that we are getting everything done and doing what we are supposed to be doing."

At the forefront of the turnaround is 4-year veteran Feliciano.

"I'm getting more takedowns this year and my defense has gotten a lot stronger," said Feliciano. "I try not to get taken down. I don't think I've been taken down that much this year."

Feliciano says increased strength has also played a vital role in this improvement.

"It helps me ride guys out and it helps me finish my take downs," he said.

A 36-3 record has also done wonders for Feliciano when he hits the mat.

"Going into the match, I know I have a good record," said Feliciano. "Freshman year I was garbage. But each year, I've improved and improved and improved. Last year I didn't have a crappy record, but a decent record. This year I've got a good record. I like it. It's something new to me. It's a good confidence booster."

Mulhearn chalks Feliciano's progress up to longevity.

"The key for him is he's a year older," said Mulhearn. "He's been here 4 years and shows up all the time. He's a year stronger and a year faster. It hasn't been just one big change. He's gotten better at everything. He's more technical. He's more physical and he's stronger. He does a good job on his feet. He does a real good job escaping."

Tanner sees Feliciano as a standard-bearer for the team this year.

"He sets a good example," said Tanner.

"He sticks out from everybody else," said Einhorn. "He's been here all 4 years and he comes to practice every day and works hard."

With plenty of successes along the way the Royals would like to top a year of improvement with a strong showing at the regional level. The top 3 place-finishers in each weight class advance to the sectional level.

"It's pretty amazing how far we've come over the years as a team," said Tanner. "It shows how hard we've worked with working out and conditioning and wrestling-wise. Saturday, hopefully we'll come out hard like we've been doing the whole year. We just have to wrestle hard."

"We have good people on this team," said Feliciano. "We have to go out there and pick it up even more and hopefully we'll come out with some wins and get some people to sectionals."