Carlisle freshman a veteran on the wrestling mat

Jimmy Sandlin is 22-0 this season and has 3 trips to junior high state tourney under his belt.

Carlisle's Jimmy Sandlin wrestles Franklin's Mason Moore Wednesday, Dec 8, 2010 dduring the fifteenth annual 'River Cup Grudge Match' in Carlisle, Ohio.

GARY STELZER/Staff Carlisle's Jimmy Sandlin wrestles Franklin's Mason Moore Wednesday, Dec 8, 2010 dduring the fifteenth annual 'River Cup Grudge Match' in Carlisle, Ohio.

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By John Bombatch, Staff Writer Updated 11:19 PM Thursday, January 20, 2011

BROOKVILLE — Anyone expecting to teach Carlisle High School freshman Jimmy Sandlin a thing or two on the wrestling mat might come away having learned a few things themselves.

Sandlin is a freshman in name only. The Indians’ 112-pounder has been wrestling since he was in kindergarten and has three trips to the junior high state tournament already on his resume.

Oh yeah, he hasn’t lost a match yet this season. Sandlin is 22-0.

“It’s definitely not his first year wrestling, that’s for sure,” Carlisle coach Brian Carter said.

“I know he placed third last year at the junior high state event. This year, he’s won every tournament we’ve put him in and he’s only been scored on by maybe three or four guys. He’s a quality kid.

“He needs to learn how to drill better in the practice room. He’s a gamer, though. In the practice room, he has to feel more confidence to go hard for the entire two-hour practice. If he learns that, he’s going to be unstoppable.”

Sandlin is surprised how well his first high school season has gone.

“It’s been tough, but it’s been going pretty well for me,” Sandlin said. “I knew it was going to be rough, but it’s going better than I thought.”

Sandlin is a three-time junior high state qualifier. He finished third last season, eighth two years ago and was one win shy of placing three years ago.

“I lost in the semis to the kid who ended up winning the title,” he said of last year’s state tourney. “The state experience has helped me. It’s given me a chance to wrestle the top kids and to use what I know against the high school kids.”

Carter said Sandlin is wise beyond his years on a wrestling mat.

“He doesn’t get in any bad positions, he doesn’t quit and he doesn’t roll over, and that makes it tough on his opponents,” Carter said. “He’s not going to quit out there.”

Sandlin is very strong on his feet. Carter said he’s not going to impress anyone with any high-velocity moves “but he’s just going to find a way to beat ya.”

Between warmups with teammate Jordan McKnight, Sandlin tried to explain his wrestling style.

“I stay in good position, work good technique and stay smart and be confident,” he said. “My goals this season is to make it to state, and then I’d like to place when I’m there.

“I just have to keep working hard and stay focused.”

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