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Aggravating. Embarrassing. Disappointing.
Those were words used by wrestlers, coaches, parents or fans of the sport back in March when the Wyoming Valley Conference left Hershey without a state medal for the first time in 46 years.
That is in the rearview mirror now and the only place to go is up after hitting rock bottom.
Last season was a rebuilding one for the conference with five of the conference’s seven state qualifiers ending last season as underclassmen. Six others return this season as a district champion and eight more return as a district runner-up. Of those 14, 11 came within one win of placing at regionals and two wins from being a state qualifier.
“There’s a lot of kids that can go far. It’s not just this team or that team,” Berwick coach Ron Swingle said. “At the end of the year, there’s a good handful of teams that can push a number of kids out far into regional and states. That’s a nice situation that we haven’t always had.”
Many athletes worked hard in the offseason and used last season’s showing as motivation for the upcoming campaign by going to camps and tournaments all over the country.
“I’m just focused more on the losses I took at states and trying to benefit more and more from them,” said Tunkhannock junior Dave Evans, who qualified for states last season in Class 3A and will wrestle in Class 2A this season. “I’m trying to focus on getting further than last year.”
His teammate Tommy Traver, a senior, advanced to the state tournament as a sophomore but missed out on the event last year after losing in regionals.
“After I took the loss at regionals, I really worked hard all summer everyday in and out, working hard, every weekend just battling through it,” he said. “I wrestled probably 80 matches this summer, just kept going and going. It was a good offseason and hopefully we can prove a point this year.”
Changing classes
Three teams have changed classification for the next two years. Berwick and Nanticoke Area have bumped up from Class 2A to Class 3A, while Tunkhannock takes the place of one of them in 2A after being in 3A.
The Bulldogs have been in 3A before so it’s nothing new for them or for Swingle, who also coached Meyers previously and saw plenty of 3A teams while there.
The Trojans have been in Class 2A for decades. Last year, they finally got in contention for the Division 2 crown and advanced to district duals after several down years and also picked up five medals at districts, something the team hasn’t done in a while. Even though they’re now in 3A, the team’s goals stay the same, and have even become heftier.
“I think we can improve on a lot of what we did in districts. A lot of us placed in districts with half of our team, but I don’t think they were looking for what they actually can do,” said Trojans 160-pound junior Collin Kudrako-Kashatus. “We’re looking to have some district champs this year, maybe up to three district champs, nine placers, get people to regionals and maybe one person to states.
“We’re having high hopes because with the experience we have, we should be experiencing the next level. Triple-A and Double-A are different, but some people would say that Double-A is tougher because of the smaller school with more kids.”
Around Division 1
The talk about the top team in the division from most coaches is that Hazleton Area is the favorite. But it’s not that easy to call.
Sure, the Cougars didn’t lose anyone from their starting lineup to graduation, but Dallas only lost one from the squad that was the top WVC finisher at the District 2 Class 3A Tournament last year and is in position to fill every weight, something which the team is not accustomed.
Toss in the Crestwood and Wyoming Valley West teams that are ready to make some noise along with defending division champion Coughlin, and there could be a lot of parity in this division.
“I really truly believe that there’s a lot of teams that can make some noise depending on where you catch these guys and where you end up with things like (kids not making weight or injuries),” Cougars coach Keith Maurer said. “I worry going into them all because you just never know with kids. I know everybody has the finger pointed at us, but I really and truly don’t think anyone is that dominant.”
Newcomers Berwick and Nanticoke have certain strength as well, while Pittston Area is continuing its rebuilding.
Around Division 2
Lake-Lehman has been the cream of this crop for the last two years. Still a youthful team, the Black Knights will once again be near the top of the standings. But it’s not that simple as Tunkhannock, which has won the Division 1 crown three of the last four years, returns to D2 after dropping down to Class 2A.
The Tigers will certainly give Lehman fits. Mark the calendar for that dual on Jan. 15 at Tunkhannock.
Yes, the two mentioned above are the favorites in the division, but don’t discount a very hungry Hanover Area squad that still has pieces remaining from the team that claimed the District 2 team title two years ago. If the Hawkeyes get the right matchups and swing bouts in their favor in duals against the Tigers and Black Knights, it will be a very interesting end.
Meyers and Wyoming Area round out the division and will be battling until the end for a berth into district duals.
“It seems like the league is gonna be pretty balanced this year in Double-A and Triple-A with a lot of pretty good kids out,” Tigers coach Bob Hegedty said. “Lehman’s got a nice squad. It always comes down to kids making weight, kids staying healthy. It’ll be a good match. It’s gonna be interesting. I’d rather see it at the end of January. But if we wrestle well, we’ll see them again at the end of January at District Duals. They have a good squad, they’re coached well.”
Returning state qualifiers
Highlighting the wrestling field this season are seven past state qualifiers from the WVC.
Hanover Area’s D.J. Erickson leads the way as a two-time participant in the state tournament in Class 2A; he returns for his senior season.
Dave Evans (Tunkhannock), Shane Noonan (Hazleton Area), David Krokowski (Wyoming Valley West) and Steven Newell (Dallas) joined Erickson in the state event last year.
Lake-Lehman’s Bob Long and Tunkhannock’s Tommy Traver qualified for the state tournament in 2017, but missed out in 2018.
The Century Club
Four conference athletes start their seasons already with 100 career wins or more. Traver leads the way with 119, while Newell (114), Noonan (108) and Krokowski (103) follow.
Expected to be closing in on the milestone at some point this are Erickson (83) and Long (78).
Juniors that can get there in the next three months are Evans (70), Valley West’s J.J. White (67) and Hazleton Area’s Charles Everdale (65).
Four of the aforementioned have realistic shots at setting new school records for wins this season. Traver needs just four wins to tie the school mark at Tunkhannock tied just last year by Sam Rice with 123. Newell is just 26 wins shy of breaking Ryan Monk’s school record at Dallas, while Erickson is 33 away from Jesse Martinez’s Hanover Area record. Krokowski needs 42 to tie Cody Cordes for the most wins in Spartan history. Noonan would need a phenomenal record to tie Jimmy Hoffman’s record of 161 at Hazleton Area.
The Penn State effect
Penn State coach Cael Sanderson made a stop at Wyoming Valley Middle School during the offseason and helped youngsters and coaches learn some new things while in the area.
But the program also hosted a camp and several locals made the trip to State College for the event, including most of the Hanover Area program.
Hawkeye coach Mike Griffith talked extensively with Sanderson and picked his mind for tips. One of the top tips he got was to teach the team to have fun. Now, before every practice the Hawkeyes play a game of dodgeball just like the Nittany Lions do before every workout.
“We had a lot of fun and we learned a lot from coach Cael Sanderson and the wrestlers,” Erickson said. “It was a good time. You’re training with the best team in the country, but you’re also bonding with guys a lot.”
Another Hanover connection to Penn State is Wyoming Seminary grad and Hanover Township native Jack Davis, who is on the Lions roster and entered the weekend with a 2-2 record this season.
A rarity
All 13 coaches are back for this season. It is the first time in eight seasons that no coaching changes were made in the offseason.
Save the date
Here are some of the most notable events on this year’s 2018-19 wrestling schedule:
Dec. 15-16: MyHouse X-Calibur Tournament at Wilkes University; Dec. 28-29: Tunkhannock Holiday Tournament at Tunkhannock High School; Jan. 4-5: WVC Tournament at Lake-Lehman H.S.; Jan. 30: District 2 Duals Tournament; Feb. 2: District 2 Duals Tournament; Feb. 7-9: PIAA Duals Championships at Giant Center, Hershey; Feb. 22-23: District 2 Individual Championships at Kingston Armory; March 1-2: Northeast Regional Tournament at Williamsport H.S. (Class 2A) and Bethlehem Liberty H.S. (Class 3A); March 7-9: PIAA Championships at Giant Center, Hershey.
WVC Wrestling Capsules
Division 1 (Class 3A)
Berwick
Coach: Ron Swingle, 16th year
Last Year: 2-3 Division 2; 3-14 overall
Key Losses: Alec Talanca, Austin Dewald, J.J. Snyder
Probable Lineup: 106: Trevor Vought, So.; 113: open; 120: Xander Beck, So.; 126: Nick Yule, Jr. or Chris Mausteller, So.; 132: Skyler Ney, So.; 138: Maurice Smith, Sr. or Joe Swiderski, So.; 145: Dave Pace, Jr.; 152: Oscar Perla, Sr.; 160: Brandon Spezialetti, So. or Mark Celona, Jr.; 170: open; 182: Lucas Knorr, So.; 195: J.J. Snyder, Sr. or Stas Hughes-Urbanski, So.; 220: Noah Craig, Jr.; 285: Ethan Hughes, So.
Outlook: Swingle’s first year with the Bulldogs saw some ups and downs last year. Now, moving to Class 3A, the team will be challenged more. But with many of the athletes returning and having the system down, there’s a bright future ahead for this squad.
Coach’s Comments: “We’re young. We have three seniors, three juniors and a good group of young guys that are coachable and working hard. I think it’s a transition year and it works out well because we’re transitioning to Triple-A and it’s just my second year here so they’re transitioning to me and the new coaches. So they’re working hard, it’s just how quickly we can get through the learning curve.”
Coughlin
Coach: Dave Parsnik, fifth year
Last Year: 6-0 Division 1 (division champion), 13-5 overall
Key Losses: Pat Clarke, Jake Brown, Josh Brown, Joey Pahler, Tayshaun Qualls, Jake Cole, Corey Harrison.
Probable Lineup: 106: Cooper Price, Fr. or Josh Warman, So.; 113: Tino Morrow, Sr.; 120: Jayden Pahler, Fr. or Jason Tlatenchi, So.; 126: Nino Cinti, Jr.; 132: Matt Chase, Fr. or Sa’id Hollis, So.; 138: Darren Clarke, So.; 145: Jamie Pahler, Jr.; 152: Tyler Faust, So. or Tyrone Qualls or Shawn Espinoza, Jr.; 160: Chad Regan, Jr. or Steve Youkoski, So.; 170: Tanner Smith, Sr.; 182: Joe Davis, Sr.; 195: Aaron Warnigiris, Jr.; 220: Connor Lee, Jr.; 285: Randall Bednar, So. or Quincy White, Fr.
Outlook: It’s no secret that the Crusaders lost a bunch from last year’s division-winning season. But there’s still plenty of excitement surrounding the last wrestling season for the school with close to half the lineup seeing a lot of action last year.
Coach’s Comments: “My expectation is to see how well we can develop from week to week. Some of the kids we’re bringing up have a lot of experience, so it depends on how fast they mature.”
Crestwood
Coach: Darren Testa, 16th season
Last Year: 2-4 Division 1; 7-10 overall
Key Losses: Saige George, Ron Grevera, Anthony Kovalchik, Ryan Black, Shane O’Rourke
Probable Lineup: 106: Hunter Greenberg, Jr.. 113: Griffin Riccio, So.; 120: Trey Zabroski, So. or Matt Gavin, So. or Will Bogdon, So.; 126: Justin Sterling, Jr. or Kyle Barley, So. or Billy Tomalinas, Jr.; 132: Jordan Miale, Jr. or Brian Costello, Jr.; 138: Tyler Shaud, Sr. or Noah Peznowski, Sr. or Caleb Beckman, So.; 145: Garrett Swank, Jr. or Maddux Testa, So.; 152: Michael Gavin, Jr. or Nolan Stertz, So.; 160: Noah Meckes, Jr.; 170: Liam Stone, Sr.; 182: open; 195: Mycal Sarluca, So.; 220: Jeremy Buzak, So.; 285: Toby Phillips, Fr.
Outlook: Sure the Comets lost some big pieces from last year’s team that came close to wins in half of their divisional losses. But, they also return youngsters, who were learning how to win a year ago. This season’s team is sneaky and can pull off some surprises and be in contention if all goes well.
Coach’s Comments: “We’re gonna need that early-season experience to help along the new kids or even some of the kids who are wrestling after taking a couple years off. I think we’re gonna be a much better team in January than we are in December.”
Dallas
Coach: Mike Richards, 12th year
Last Year: 3-3 Division 1; 10-11 overall
Key Losses: Kade Kravits
Probable Lineup: 106: open; 113: Justin Benscoter, Fr., 120: Liam Farrell, Sr. or Nathan Savignano, So.; 126: Sawyer Christman, Fr.; 132: Brayden Saracino, So.; 138: Ben Yanchick, Jr.; 145: Thaddeus Mead, So.; 152: Matt Maransky, Jr. or Nick Solinsky, Sr.; 160: Brian Novicki, Sr. or John Betzko, Sr.; 170: Len Kelley, Jr.; 182: Steven Newell, Sr.; 195: Matt Ferarra, Sr.; 220: Taylor Bolesta, Jr.; 285: Shawn Henniger, Sr.
Outlook: A young team a year ago, the Mountaineers surprised some when they were the highest-placing team from the WVC in the District 2 Class 3A Tournament back in February. With the majority of those wrestlers back and out for another successful run, Dallas should be looming near the top of the standings when all is said and done.
Coach’s Comments: “Last year we had a really good tournament team. Our problem over the years has been a dual meet team and having enough wrestlers to fill dual meets. This year, we’re a little bit stronger and have most of the weights filled this year, which is a bonus. We have guys that can fill every weight and we don’t have guys moving up to fill in a weight. As far as team wise, we’re pretty solid all the way through. We just need to keep going with the momentum of last year and just keep guys healthy and getting guys to where they need to be.”
Hazleton Area
Coach: Keith Maurer, 19th season
Last Year: 4-2 Division 1; 7-8 overall
Key Losses: none
Probable Lineup: 106: Johnny Cora, So.; 113: Michael Martinez, Fr.; 120: Beck Hutchison, So.; 126: Jorven Rodriguez, Fr.; 132: Christian Kislin, So. or Devin Youngcourt, Fr.; 138: Stephen Martisofski, Sr. or Ryan Hastings, Fr.; 145: open; 152: Charles Everdale, Jr. or Luke Billig, Jr.; 160: Bryce Molinaro, Fr.; 170: Jayson Brielmeier, Sr. or Jake Marnell, Jr. or Dante Materella, So.; 182: see 170; 195: Seth Hunsinger, So.; 220: Shane Noonan, Sr. 285: open
Outlook: Many opposing coaches put the target on the back of Maurer and his squad this preseason. Yes, the Cougars have a ton of potential and will be at or near the top of the standings at the end of the season with no seniors lost to graduation last year and only three on this year’s team, but there’s plenty of competition all around the division and district to make things interesting.
Coach’s Comments: “I’ll be honest, I like what I see. I won’t make any predictions, but things could look good for us if they go the right way. But with some kids losing weight, and some growing into some weights so we can fill every weight class. If we can pull that off then maybe we can make some noise.”
Nanticoke Area
Coach: Harold Shotwell, sixth year
Last Year: 3-2 Division 2; 10-7 overall
Key Losses: Chris Maute
Probable Lineup: 106: Zach Capie, Jr.; 113: Joe Sauers, Jr.; 120: Dillon Kruczek, Sr.; 126: George Brown, Sr. or Sebastian Kryznewski, Fr.; 132: Aiden Jaskulski, Fr.; 138: Trevor Grohowski, Sr.; 145: Austin Cheslaw, Sr. or Baylie Butler, So.; 152: Jacob Gall, Sr.; 160: Collin Kudrako-Kashatus, Jr.; 170: Adam Eckhart, Jr.; 182: Isaiah Johnson, Jr.; 195: Zack Pelton, Jr.; 220: Seth Pelton, Jr. or Hunter Welch, Jr.; 285: Shane Repasky, Sr
Outlook: Finally breaking through last year and becoming a divisional contender, the Trojans are now bumping up from Class 2A and Division 2. Last year was a teaser of what this team can do. Plenty of old faces are returning to the lineup so the jump in classification shouldn’t be much of a problem.
Coach’s Comments: “There’s not really much of a difference (in Class 3A). We wrestled all the teams in the conference tournament. So it’s just building on the standards that we set for the team last year.”
Pittston Area
Coach: Dave Krantz, 2nd year
Last Year: 0-6 Division 1, 4-16 overall
Key Losses: Brandon Lopez, Ryan Lombardo, Jake Rutkowski, Nathan Lombardo
Probable Lineup: 106: Omar Ciriaco, Fr. or Kevin Robey, Fr. or Joii Phillips, So.; 113: Justin Bryk, So. Or Kaytlin Bucci, So.; 120: open; 126: Nico Solano, Fr.; 132: Felix Mendez, So. or Nathan Ridgley, Jr.; 138: C.J. Demark, So.; 145: Marcus Roman, So.; 152: Nik Ridgley, Jr. or Dave Darbenzio, So.; 160: A.J. Gordo, Jr. or Justice Ambs, Jr.; 170: Alex Anastasia, Jr. or John Morris, So.; 182: Kyle Mlodzienski, Sr.; 195: open; 220: John DeLuca, Sr.; 285: open
Outlook: Last season was a trying one for the Patriots, who finished in last at the district tournament. They still advanced a wrestler to regionals in Ryan Lombardo and had three district medalists. Two of them are back in A.J. Gordo and C.J. Demark, who both took sixth. This is a young team, but there is potential to break into the win column in the division for the first time in nearly three years.
Wyoming Valley West
Coach: Ryan Vassello, fourth year
Last Year: 1-5 Division 1, 7-11 overall
Key Losses: Landon Stanislow, Sean Mikovitch
Probable Lineup: 106: Ian Ratchford, Fr. or Zander Remakus, Fr.; 113: Cadden Kucek, Jr.; 120: J.J. White, Jr. or Joe Jenderjewski, Jr.; 126: Dave Krokowski, Sr.; 132: Justin Hargrave, Sr.; 138: Matt Giza, Jr.; 145: Trent Giza, Jr. or Cole Williams, Jr.; 152: John Chell, Jr. or Ashton Chamberlain, So.; 160: Jayden Watkins, Sr. or Jayden Swainbank, Fr; 170: Jaylon Brunson, Sr. or Josh Koval, Fr.; 182: Luis Rivera; 195: Darius Redguard, So.; 220: Dave White, Sr.; 285: Manny Selever, Jr.
Outlook: There’s plenty of optimism around the Spartans this season and for good reason. Four of the team’s five district semifinalists from last year return, including district champions J.J. White and Dave Krokowski. A full offseason of working out will also pay dividends for the group, which still only consists of only five seniors. Expect a big bump in divisional wins from last year.
Coach’s Comments: “Obviously, we gotta work hard and put some extra time in. We’re gonna set goals this year and everyday we’re gonna say that we’re one step closer to achieving those goals. So it’s about the hard work we’re going to put in.”
Division 2 (Class 2A)
Hanover Area
Coach: Mike Griffith, second year
Last Year: 2-3 Division 2; 4-9 overall
Key Losses: Mike Lenahan, J.J. Hooper, Tom Mercadante,
Probable Lineup: 106: Cael Davis, So.; 113: Zach Murphy Fr.; 120: Joe Rowley, Jr.; 126: Kaleb Rigol, Jr.; 132: Liam Reilly, Jr.; 138: open; 145: Jared Banesh, Sr.; 152: D.J. Erickson, Sr.; 160: Hunter Thompson, Jr.; 170: Hunter Karpovich, So.; 182: Avdo Adzemovich, So.; 195: Victor Vega, Sr.; 220: Jayden Piatt, Sr. or Caden Schiel, So.; 285: Derek Knorr, So. or Scott Robinson, So.
Outlook: After spending time with the Penn State wrestling team and coach Cael Sanderson, the theme of this year for Griffith and his bunch is to have fun. The Hawkeyes are loose all around and ready for a successful campaign. They should finish with a better divisional record than last year and should give Lake-Lehman and Tunkhannock a run for the money.
Coach’s Comments: “They put a lot of work in the offseason. And have come in the room showing new moves. Hopefully what they put in in the offseason is going to pay dividends in the postseason. …As a coach you always want to win. If they’re doing stuff in the room and I’m making sure they’re doing stuff in the room, I fully expect them to do some damage this year.”
Lake-Lehman
Coach: Jay Konigus, ninth year
Last Year: 5-0 Division 2; 10-4 overall
Key Losses: Garrett Kolb, Chuck Harry, Kaleb Konigus
Probable Lineup: 106: Mason Konigus, Fr. or Brendan Boston, Jr.; 113: Jake Patlia, Fr. or Gavin Ruger, So.; 120: Chandler Longstrength, So.; 126: Zach Stuart, So.; 132: Bob Long, Sr.; 138: Josh Bonomo, So. or Colton Hummel, So.; 145: Hunter Burke, So.; 152: Connor Morgan, So.; 160: Jake Trumbower, So. or Pat Depiero, So.; 170: Nick Zaboski, So. or Cole Robbinslong, Sr.; 182: Tim Schechterly, So. or Matt Raczkowski, So.; Tom Nalbone, Sr.; 220: T.J. Meehan, Sr.; 285: open
Outlook: The young team ran away from division opponents last year and it wasn’t even close winning every divisional dual by at least 20 points. All but three wrestlers return from that squad as the Black Knights look for a stranglehold on the division once again. But with former Class 3A and Division 1 power Tunkhannock now in the fold, the road has become much tougher.
Coach’s Comments: “Right now, I feel good. We got a lot of young kids. We only got a few seniors. I like what we have right now. We got a lot of kids with a lot of wrestling experience. We’re strong from 106 to 220. Our biggest thing is staying healthy, talking to the kids about proper nutrition and proper sleep. We’re just taking it one match at a time. I’m not looking too far into the future, but I know what I have. You guys know what I have, we’re tough.”
Meyers
Coach: Anthony Mercadante, eighth year
Last Year: 0-5 Division 2; 2-16 overall
Key Losses: Susu Burroughs, Colin Browne
Probable Lineup: 106: open; 113: Brando Abreu, Jr. or Kristopher Fronseca, Fr.; 120: open; 126: Jason Carver, Jr.; 132: Mohammed Kabor, So. or Jackoy Gayle, Fr.; 138: Caleb Burns, Jr. or Andre Robinson, Jr. or Avian Tobar,; 145: Nate Ayala, So.; 152: Tyla Barzey, So.; 160: Savon Collins, Sr. or Emmanuel Guitterez, Jr. or Alex Stanicki, Jr. or Rhett Hammon, So.; 170: Rafael Olmedo, Jr.; 182: Greg Ambers, Jr. or Carl Johnson, So.; 195: Makal Henderson, So.; 220: Tommy Le, Jr.; 285: Omar Tlatenchi, So.
Outlook: It wasn’t an easy campaign for the Mohawks last year as they finished winless in the division a year after claiming the championship. With almost a full lineup this year, there’s reason for optimism.
Coach’s Comments: “We’re building off of last year. We were young last year. The kids are working hard in the room. I see some good things going on. It’s really going to come down to matchups with a lot of other teams. I think I have a solid five kids.”
Tunkhannock
Coach: Bob Hegedty, tenth year
Last Year: 5-1 Division 1; 16-3 overall
Key Losses: David Gavek, Connor Munley, Sam Rice
Probable Lineup: 106: Owen Woods, Fr.; 113: Matt Rosentel, So.; 120: David Evans, Jr.; 126: Connor Elgin, So.; 132: Ethan Munley, Jr.; 138: Tommy Traver, Sr.; 145: Gavin D’Amato, Jr. or Brittnie Cahoon, So.; 152: Luke Carpenter, So. or Ty Konen, Fr.; 160: Tyler Chesla, Jr. or Alex Pierce, Jr.; 170: Sean Meder, So. or Logan Slavinski, Fr.; 182: Jeff Meader, Fr. or Dustin Henry, Sr. or Frank Scanta, Fr.; 195: Nick Marabell, Fr.; 220: Logan Hegedty, Sr. or Jaden Kozlowski, Fr.; 285: Alex Daily, Jr. or Brett Sickler, Jr. or Harry Thrash, Jr. or Jhamal Zacharias, So.
Outlook: The last time the Tigers were in Division 2 they were wrapping up a conference title in 2014. That ended a two-year stint of going 10-2 and also started a run of four straight division titles for the squad. Now back there because of dropping down to Class 2A, Tunkhannock will once again be in position to succeed, but Lake-Lehman will surely have something to say about that.
Coach’s Comments: “I think we’re going to be solid all the way through. Obviously our strength is gonna be from 106 up to 152. We’re young at the middle top, and have a lot of depth at the top.”
Wyoming Area
Coach: Jason Prokopchak, third year
Last Year: 3-2 Division 2; 9-6 overall
Key Losses: Justin Joseph, Damon Barhight
Probable Lineup: 106: Luis Lopez, Jr.; 113: open; 120: Kyle Emsley, So.; 126: Rocco Pizano, Fr.; 132: Adam Sigman, So.; 138: Connor Wrobleski, Fr.; 145: Tyler Martin, Sr. or Vincenzo Giambra, So.; 152: Robin Wrobleski, Sr.; 160 Charlie Banashefski, Jr.; 170: Enzo Scotto-Diluzio, Jr., 182: Corey Mruk, Jr. or Vincent Bowers, So.; 195: Jaryn Polit-Moran, Sr.; 220: Nassir Condry, So. 285: open
Outlook: At the end of last season, the Warriors had seven wrestlers with 20 wins or more on the roster, only two of those were lost to graduation. But three others are either shelved with injuries or have moved out of the school district. If the team can stay afloat until the injuries are healed, they could be in contention for the district duals event once again, but that could also be a pretty big obstacle.
Coach’s Comments: “It’ll be an interesting season. At this point, the outlook is we’re going to be a very good tournament team. It just makes the folks that they’re getting their time in the starting lineup and now it’s their time to take advantage of the opportunity when they have it. Anyway you cut it, I’m so thankful to have such hard workers from the kids I have out for the sport. Not everybody can do this sport. It’s a blue-collar sport. And the effort they give me day in and day out, I definitely appreciate it and it’s going to take them far in wrestling and also in the real world when it’s all said and done.”
