Arehart is going for the gold for the Spartans in 2020-2021
BROKEN BOW - Last season Ansley-Litchfield had one of the best seasons in recent history for the school by finishing 5th at the 2020 State Wrestling Meet. One of the main contributors to the Spartans team success was Hunter Arehart. In his first state tournament appearance, he rose through the ranks and earned a fourth-place medal.
“I was super proud of myself,” Arehart said. “I worked hard throughout the year with Blake Racicky. It was pretty emotional for me because I was picked to get sixth. Me beating what everyone thought I would get was awesome.”
Arehart stated that the team in general was full of a bunch of hard workers a season ago. It’s the main reason they went from 38th in the Class D team standings at State in 2019 to 5th in 2020. It made the experience even more memorable for him.
“That made it a whole lot more special,” Arehart said. “We had a great team and we all worked super hard. Our coaches were very proud and we were all pretty excited.”
This year Arehart has set lofty goals for himself heading into his senior campaign. He not only wants to try and break the school records for most shots and escapes in a season, but he also wants to get first place at the State Meet.
“My goal this year is to get first place,” Arehart said. “I want to go all the way with it and get the Spartan records for most shots and most escapes in a season.”
In order to make this happen, Arehart will rely on his signature move - the throw. Powerful hips have helped him master the move throughout the years and he believes it is what separates him from his other opponents on the mat.
“I would definitely say that I am a thrower in wrestling,” Arehart said. “I have pretty good hips so I can throw people pretty well.”
When it comes to the team, Arehart also has high aspirations as well. Despite losing State Champion Blake Racicky at 160 pounds from a season ago, the team returns a lot of talent. This talent is why he believes they will finish better this season at state.
“We’re looking forward to placing higher as a team at state,” Arehart
said. “We have some great athletes on our team. I think we can definitely place higher than fourth or fifth place.”
If A-L and Arehart are to accomplish that goal, they will have to do it with a new coach. Mitchell Sloggett took over the
program from Gordan Goodman this year. He previously was the assistant wrestling coach at Minden.
After high school Arehart plans to serve the country in the military. He will be joining the Marine Corps.