State qualifiers will lead Vandals

The Vandalia Community High School wrestling team returns a solid core.
The Vandals have regional champions, sectional medalists and state qualifiers up and down the lineup. In fact, Vandals Coach Jason Clay has five returning state qualifiers on the roster in 2014-15.
All five are expected to lead the way for the Vandals this season.
Let's take a quick look at each of Vandalia's returning state qualifiers.

Trevor Philpot
A sophomore, Philpot advanced to state at 106 pounds last year.
"He really came on strong at the end of his freshman season," Clay said.

"He really improved on his technique and he peaked at the end of the year."
Philpot finished fourth at the sectional last year, and Clay hopes he'll take the next step as a sophomore.

Chaston Womack
A junior, Womack has already competed at state twice. He wrestled at 113 pounds last year and was a sectional runner-up. But he was disappointed in his state showing.
"He was one and done last year, so he wants to place this year," Clay said.

Ryne Lipsey
Now a senior, Lipsey finished fourth at last year's sectional to advance to state, where he was unable to place at 120 pounds.
Lipsey should bump up to 126 pounds this year, Clay noted.
"He's a real gritty kid, and a super strong kid," Clay said. "He's improved a lot since his freshman year. And he's always working to get better. He's made a lot of strides."

Dalton Blankenship
Blankenship was the team's Co-Most Outstanding Wrestler last year after finishing fourth at the state tournament.
He wrestled at 145 pounds last year, but may bump up to 152 this year.
Clay said Blankenship has his goals set extremely high.
"He's a senior now, and he's going for a fourth-straight state appearance," Clay said. "He's a little banged up right now, so we need to get him healthy."

Bobby Bradley
Bradley finished third at the sectional and competed at state at 195 pounds. Now a junior, Bradley will look to bring home some state hardware this year.
"Bobby came on strong as a sophomore and did a great job," Clay said. "He's banged up from football, but he's a big, strong kid. We want to create more opportunities for him to attack the legs. He does well on his feet, and he's a good athlete."