Wrestling Preview 2023-24: Wayne/Holmes area loaded with state-caliber grapplers again

Another year, another strong crop of area wrestlers.

With 13 total wrestlers that picked up state experience last winter, five of whom walked away with an All-Ohio medal, the 2023-2024 season has all the makings of a historic year.

On the boys side, Waynedale's Stephen Patterson and the Tuslaw tandem of Kaden Lawson and Jacob Lyons each made it onto the podium at the OHSAA State Championships, while Chippewa's Gabi Gartin was state runner-up and Isabella Adams was fourth in the first-ever state-sanctioned girls tournament.

Other individuals in D-III that are coming off state appearances are Ben Pierce (Chippewa), Kaden Russell (Dalton), Joey McGuire (Rittman), Caden Schmeltzer (Waynedale), along with West Holmes' Grady Toye, Hunter McCluggage and Louden Dixon in D-II and Rittman's Merrick Gibson in the girls division.

Adding to that history is the additional of a pair of school-sponsored girls programs at both Chippewa and Northwestern, which, combine that a loaded group of other state-ranked wrestlers and freshmen that are poised to make an immediate impact, has this season as one that could talked about for years to come.

Here's a glance at each of the area teams:

BOYS

Chippewa

Coach: Michael McMorrow (1st season)

Last season: 3rd in WCAL, 5th Northwestern D-III Sectional, T-12th Perry D-III District

Returning wrestlers: Brock Shy (sr., 150), Neil Miller (sr., 175), Tyler Lower (sr., 285), Albert Moreno (jr., 138), Blake Mingle (jr., 165), Sam Petit (jr., 190), Ben Pierce (so., 120), Xavier Zollinger (so., 144)

Outlook: With a returning state qualifier like Pierce, a loaded lineup of other veterans with varsity experience, expectations are high for the Chipps. Pierce, who went 1-2 in his state debut, headlines a roster that brings back eight guys who all were in the lineup a year ago. The strength for Chippewa, however, is at the upper weights with Miller, Petit and Lower.

Dalton

Coach: Kenton Lemon (10th season)

Last season: 2nd in WCAL, 3rd Northwestern D-III Sectional, T-12th Perry D-III District

Returning wrestlers: Micah Boyer (sr.), Bram McCourt (sr.), Greyson Siders (sr.), Kaden Russell (jr.), Seth Ryder (jr.), Cohen Riggenbach (jr.), Sam Ediger (so.), Aiden Pelfrey (so.), Matthew VonBonin (sr.)

Newcomers: Jack Waldron (sr.), Cale Ediger (so.), DJ Gerry (so.), Ty Clark (fr.), Ethan Houmard (fr.), Jack Oswald (fr.), Dylan McLean (fr.), Axl Ryder (fr.), Caden Trivette (fr.)

Outlook: The Bulldogs' start to the season was put on pause, following the historic run to the state championship by the school's football team. Once the team is back in action at full strength, it should be one of the top squads in the area with a returning state qualifier in Russell and a state alternate in Siders. McCourt and Riggenbach are also expected to be ones to watch at 165 and 285, respectively, along with Waldron — a transfer from Orrville — who was a state alternate at 175 last winter.

Hillsdale

Coach: Dan Mager (1st season)

Last season: 8th in WCAL, 12th Rootstown D-III Sectional

Returning wrestlers: Garrett Furr (so., 285), Landon Thomas (so., 190)

Newcomers: Gavin Casdroph (sr., 150), Vicent Scalesi (sr., 165), Ethan Miller (jr., 144), Lincoln Jones (jr., 157), Grayson Allis (jr., 285), Reed Twining (so., 138), Dryden Shoemaker (so., 215), Jason McClure (fr., 113), Brayden Denny (fr., 126), Kyle Turk (fr., 132), Jase Plice (fr., 132), Michael Shenberger (fr., 138), Rogan Price (fr., 157), Colt McCoy (fr., 175)

Outlook: Fresh off of an impressive postseason, Furr is one of just a handful of leaders for a Falcons roster that has seen its numbers go up this winter. The heavyweight was a district qualifier last season after placing fourth at the Rootstown Sectional. He also was fourth in his weight class in the WCAL. Fellow returnee Thomas was a district alternate at 175.

Loudonville

Coach: Ryan Thatcher (5th season)

Last season: 10th Northwestern D-III Sectional, T-30th Perry D-III District, T-66th D-III state

Returning wrestlers: Drew Spreng (sr., 120/126), Isaac Wittel (sr., 144), Josh Serrato (sr., 150), Dylan Pierce (sr., 157/165), Baylor Weiser (sr., 165/175), Josh Gregory (sr., 215), Tyler Reeder (jr., 120/126), Ethin Davis (jr., 165/175), Caleb Baker (jr., 285), Jacob Baker (jr., 190), Brady Smith (so., 138), Brayden Marotta (so., 150/157), Trevor Dawson (so., 150/157)

Newcomers: Zoey Eades (jr., 150/157), Josh Brown (fr., 132), Luke Heichel (fr., 132), Blane Young (fr., 190)

Outlook: Three returning district qualifiers, along with a former state qualifier, highlight the Redbirds roster this winter. Reeder, Wittel and Serrato all competed at districts a year ago, while Spreng — who missed the 2023 postseason — was a state participant as a sophomore. All four are expected to lead the team this season, with Spreng projected 10th at 126 in early-season rankings by borofanohio.net, and Wittel checking-in at 14th at 144.

Northwestern

Coach: Logan Hershey (1st season)

Last season: 4th in WCAL, 8th Northwestern D-III Sectional, 14th Perry D-III District, T-47th D-III state

Returning wrestlers: Kevin Mosher (sr., 190/215), Caden Holliday (jr., 175/190), Ashton Good (jr., 150/157), Blake Good (jr., 138/144), Will Hamey (jr., 190/215), Hayden Sigler (so., 120/126), Daniel Sponseller (so., 120/126)

Newcomers: Reed Hamey (fr., 106), Jack Morris (fr., 120/126)

Outlook: Hershey, a member of the Huskies last conference championship team in 2011, take over the reins at his alma mater after two seasons as an assistant. The team, which lost a pair of state qualifiers from a year ago, will look to its lone district qualifier in Holliday to lead the way, along with Sigler — an all-league honorable mention honoree as a freshman.

Norwayne

Coach: Jordan Marrero (3rd season)

Last season: 7th in WCAL, 11th Northwestern D-III Sectional, T-36th Perry D-III District

Returning wrestlers: Alex Berry (sr., 165), Payton Lance (sr., 175), Jacob Brunner (so., 140)

Newcomers: Mike Augustine (sr., 157), Owen Grossnickulas (sr., 285)

Outlook: A pair of experienced wrestlers in Berry and Lance headline the Bobcats roster this winter. Lance, a 30-match winner a year ago, was a sectional runner-up and district qualifier as a junior and will anchor the lineup, while Berry was a district alternate after battling his way back through the consolation bracket at sectionals.

Orrville

Coach: Jamie Keeney/Craig Grimes

Last season: 5th in PAC, 4th Northwestern D-III Sectional, 29th Perry D-III District

Returning wrestlers: Connor Chereson (sr., 144), Skyler Veemara (sr., 132/138), Drew Caskey (sr., 175), Paul Hostetler (jr., 157), Seth Kinser (jr., 150), Brenden Betts (jr., 285), Tyler Farrell (jr., 165/175), Vincent Perego (jr., 120/126), Jaycee Bailey (so., 150/155), Caleb Carter (so., 144), Connor Endsley (so., 138/144), Cameron Gillis (so., 132/138), Landon Grimes (so., 113), Brahm Hostetler (so., 215), Lincoln Klutz (so., 150), Caden Race (so., 138), Bronson Rogers (so., 144)

Outlook: With a trio of district qualifiers back, the Red Riders are looking to move up in the PAC standings this winter. Chereson, Hostetler and Farrell all return with postseason experience and Chereson is a projected top 15 placer at 144, according to early-season rankings by borofanohio.com. Farrell, who wrestled 190 last season, is expected to compete at either 165 or 175.

Rittman

Coach: Rey Garza (10th season)

Last season: 5th in WCAL, 7th Rootstown D-III Sectional, T-25th Perry D-III District

Returning wrestlers: Jakob Gibson (sr., 120), Justin Metheny (sr., 165), Joey McGuire (sr., 138), Merrick Gibson (jr., 120), Austin Webb (jr., 144), Gabe Whims (so., 150/157), Corey Winkler (so., 190), Quinton Dawson (so., 106/113)

Newcomers: Alex Shows (jr.), Jordan Killough (so., 215), Devin Ballard (so., 132)

Outlook: A pair of state qualifiers return for Rittman as both McGuire and Merrick Gibson competed in Columbus a year ago. McGuire, who went 40-16 as a junior, battled tough in both state matches, losing to the eventual fourth- and fifth-place wrestlers, while Gibson was 1-1 before defaulting out of her third bout after an injury. Metheny (36-14), is also back, while Killough returns to the team after a season-ending injury last year.

Smithville

Coach: Matthew Tilton (1st season)

Last season: 6th in WCAL, 13th Northwestern D-III Sectional, T-39th Perry D-III District

Returning wrestlers: Devan Greathouse (sr., 144), Caden Shaffer (jr., 120), Jake Johns (jr., 285), Mason Haines (so., 165), Chase Tomassetti (so., 157/165)

Newcomers: Karsen Moore (so., 175), Noah McClintok (fr., 132), Blayze Stoll (fr., 126), Kaden Stark (fr., 138), Isidro Torres (fr., 190)

Outlook: According to Tilton, Haines — a projected state placer by borofanohio.com — is expected to be out for most of the season with a knee injury and second-half return is the hope. In Haines' absence, the Smithies will look to Greathouse, a returning district alternate, for leadership, along with Shaffer — a fourth-place finisher at the WCAL Championships at 120.

Triway

Coach: Jason Duvall (1st season)

Last season: 8th in PAC, 7th Northwestern D-III Sectional, T-44th Perry D-III District

Returning wrestlers: Jagger Hyatt (sr., 157), Keith Harvey (jr., 126), Ryker Frazier (jr., 138), Gavin Lovejoy (jr., 215), Kelan Haynes (so., 165)

Outlook: Hyatt, a district alternate last winter, will help lead a small Titans roster into the season. The middleweight, who also was fourth in the PAC last season, is among locals that could make a lengthy postseason run. Lovejoy and Haynes finished one match shy of placing at sectionals in their respective weight classes and will look to get on the podium this year.

Tuslaw

Coach: Michael Petrime (2nd season)

Last season: 3rd in PAC, 2nd Independence D-III Sectional, 5th Perry D-III District, T-21st D-III state

Returning wrestlers: Sam Knouse (sr., 144), Jacob Lyons (sr., 150), Garrett Sanders (sr., 215), Kaden Lawson (so., 113), Ethan Haer (so., 132), Raymond Butzer (so., 138), Nate Eberhardt (so., 138)

Newcomers: Percy McGhee (sr., 144), Brent Hull (fr., 106), Colton Oaklief (fr., 113), Chance Grim (fr., 126), Guhner Eberhardt (fr., 190)

Outlook: Behind the leadership of returning state placers in Lyons and Lawson, the Mustangs are poised for another strong winter. Both are among the top six wrestlers in their respective weight classes, according to borofanohio.net, and will anchor the lineup along with another returnee in Knouse and Nate Eberhardt. Look for Grim to also make an impact in the lineup. McGhee will add depth and experience to the roster after transferring to Tuslaw from Fairless in the offseason.

Waynedale

Coach: Louie Stanley (33rd season)

Last season: 1st in WCAL, 1st Northwestern D-III Sectional, 2nd Perry D-III District, T-52nd D-III state

Returning wrestlers: Cole Lewis (sr., 144), Liam Mitten (sr., 165), Marquel Troyer (sr., 150), Robert McCork (jr., 157), Caden Schmeltzer (jr., 138), Jayden Schlabach (jr., 175), Stephen Patterson (so., 113), Lance Kearney (so., 132), Seth Hostetler (so.), Grady Posey (so., 215)

Newcomers: Ethan Garrod (jr., 150), Lane Troyer (so., 150), Brandon Walters (so., 285), Brock Beckler (fr., 106), Isaak Skelly (fr., 120), Riley Greathouse (fr., 126), DJ Oberly (fr., 132)

Outlook: With one of the top-ranked wrestlers in the state, and a loaded roster of other state-caliber individuals, the Golden Bears are poised for another historic season. Beckler is the No. 1 106-pounder in D-III, according to borofanohio.net, with seven other Waynedale grapplers among those ranked, including defending All-Ohioan Patterson, two-time state-qualifier Schmeltzer and fellow rookies Skelly and Oberly.

West Holmes

Coach: Scott Vaughn (7th season)

Last season: 3rd in OCC, 2nd Steubenville D-II Sectional, 1st Steubenville D-II District, 12th D-II state

Returning wrestlers: Grady Toye (sr., 126), Grant Miller (sr., 215), Hunter McCluggage (jr., 138), Cole Porter (jr., 175), AAJ Roberts (jr., 120), Morgan Smith (jr., 165), Louden Dixon (so., 144), Peyton Martin (so., 113), Dylan Sours (so., 175)

Newcomers: Braylen McKinney (jr., 285), Camden McCluggage (so., 165), Grady Hawkins (so., 215), Wesley Yoder (so., 285), Cohen Wilson (fr., 190), Jordan Gerber (fr., 144), Lincoln Goans (fr., 157), Colton Leyda (fr., 157), Christopher Williams (fr., 150)

Outlook: Dixon had a busy summer representing the Ohio at the Fargo Nationals in July. And despite taking a hit due to graduation with the losses of state runner-up Mason Taylor and state placer Elisha Baldridge, fellow state participants in Toye and Hunter McCluggage will look to keep the Knights run of success going, along with state alternates Porter and Martin. Wilson also should add depth after placing at the middle school state tournament last season.

Wooster

Coach: Brian Teter (3rd season)

Last season: 5th in OCC, 5th Massillon Perry D-I Sectional, 30th North Canton D-I District

Returning wrestlers: Jayson Deeds (sr., 285), CJ Furlong (sr., 126), Grant Hoffman (sr., 165), Dylan Hudson (sr., 157), Evan Patton (sr., 215), Julian Franklin (jr., 175), Vance Halloran (so., 132), Nate Miller (so., 165), Thomas Oney (so., 150)

Newcomers: Brooklyn Wade (so., 253), Avery Tyrrell (fr., 126)

Outlook: A strong senior class in Deeds, Furlong, Hoffman, Hudson and Patton are all back, along with four other returnees that will fill out nine of the 14 roster spots. Hudson and Deeds were third in the conference at 150 and 285, respectively. Wade, the team's lone female wrestler, comes to Wooster after finishing state runner-up in the inaugural OHSAA state tournament last season for Washington Court House.

GIRLS

Chippewa

Coach: Hanna Hall (1st season, 4th overall)

Returning wrestlers: Gabi Gartin (jr., 125), Isabella Adams (jr., 155)

Newcomer: Kayla Moroschan (fr., 120), Olivia Johnson (fr., 145), Emma Frazee (fr., 170)

Outlook: After leading the boys program the past three seasons, Hall switches her attention to the newly-formed girls team. And the Chipps have a great base to build the program with Gartin finishing state runner-up at the inaugural OHSAA Championships last winter. Adams, who was fourth at state, also has high expectations this season and Moroschan is someone that Hall feels can make a postseason run, as well.

Northwestern

Coach: Brent Cherry (1st season)

Returning wrestler: Kaylee Cherry (so., 125)

Newcomers: Claire Buchholz (so., 140), Haley Harper (fr., 110)

Outlook: A longtime fixture on the Huskies boys coaching staff, Cherry will lead the Huskies in their inaugural season. A total of 13 wrestlers are slated to compete for Northwestern, highlighted by Kaylee Cherry. The underclassman went 11-3 this past season and was a regional qualifier. Both Buchholz and Harper also have experience and will help push the host of rookies on the roster.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Wrestling: previewing every local team for the 2023-24 season