SIDELINES

Area prep wrestling preview

12/19/2013
BLADE STAFF
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    Clay High School wrestlers front row left to right Nick Stencel, Richie Screptock, Gavin Nelson, Jared Davis, and Aaron Henneman; back row left to right Antonio Zapata, Matt Stencel, and Brian Richmond.

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    • Clay High School wrestlers front row left to right Nick Stencel, Richie Screptock, Gavin Nelson, Jared Davis, and Aaron Henneman; back row left to right Antonio Zapata, Matt Stencel, and Brian Richmond.
    Clay High School wrestlers front row left to right Nick Stencel, Richie Screptock, Gavin Nelson, Jared Davis, and Aaron Henneman; back row left to right Antonio Zapata, Matt Stencel, and Brian Richmond.

    THREE RIVERS ATHLETIC CONFERENCE: Strength in numbers

    Having established itself as northwest Ohio’s top Division I wrestling program during the last five years, Clay is now in dynasty mode.

    The Eagles have won five straight league championships (three City League, two Three Rivers Athletic Conference). They are favored to capture their third TRAC title in a row this season, although Central Catholic may have something to say about that finish.

    In a preseason poll of TRAC coaches, Clay received six of the eight first-place votes and a total of 62 voting points to edge Central, which got the other two first-place nods and 58 points. READ MORE.

     

    Perrysburg wrestling team. Back from left: Kadin Llewellyn, Rocco Caywood and Cale Bonner. Front row; J.P. Newton, left, and Mario Guillen, right.
    Perrysburg wrestling team. Back from left: Kadin Llewellyn, Rocco Caywood and Cale Bonner. Front row; J.P. Newton, left, and Mario Guillen, right.

    NORTHERN LAKES LEAGUE: Jackets look to stay on top

    Perrysburg is in prime position to once again dominate the Northern Lakes League as the Yellow Jackets have 10 returning starters from a team that cruised to a third straight title last season.

    Perrysburg romped to the NLL title last year, going 7-0 in dual meets. The Yellow Jackets won the tournament title by 122.5 points.

    Senior J.P. Newton (152 pounds) is gunning for his fourth straight individual NLL title. Senior Rocco Caywood (182) is shooting for his third consecutive championship.

    Junior Cale Bonner (285) and sophomores Mario Guillen (113) and Brock Jones (126) also are back after winning NLL titles. READ MORE.

     

    Delta High School wrestlers from left: Tyler Fahrer, Jake Spiess, Dustin Marteney, and Kyle Keller.
    Delta High School wrestlers from left: Tyler Fahrer, Jake Spiess, Dustin Marteney, and Kyle Keller.

    Delta ready to defend

    The makeup of Delta's wrestling team looks a lot like last year.

    That group of Panthers captured the Division III state team championship.

    Ten of the wrestlers who competed in the state championship final against Tuslaw — a 52-17 triumph for Delta — are back. READ MORE.

     

    Waite High School wrestlers front row from left: Juan Moreno, Jose Compos, Krys Young, Tristin Snider and Brandon Wagner; back from left: James Johnson, Donte' Nelson, Talmage Jones, Roqueit Jackson, Roberto Rodriguez, Elias Moreno and Nick Jensen.
    Waite High School wrestlers front row from left: Juan Moreno, Jose Compos, Krys Young, Tristin Snider and Brandon Wagner; back from left: James Johnson, Donte' Nelson, Talmage Jones, Roqueit Jackson, Roberto Rodriguez, Elias Moreno and Nick Jensen.

    CITY LEAGUE: Indians clear pick as sport returns to CL

    Wrestling is back in the City League.

    The league’s coaches and athletes welcome the return of the sport since it was eliminated from the Toledo Public Schools in 2010 as part of budget cuts.

    "It took a lot of effort," said Waite coach Shane Kokensparger, who, along with several others, campaigned to have wrestling reinstated. "It keeps kids in TPS and helps keep kids out of trouble. It's definitely an asset." READ MORE.

     

    Genoa High School wrestling team members, from left, rear: Tyler Baird, Nathan Moore, Max Reeder, Cody Buckner, and Dustin Widmer. Front row, from left: Jay Nino, Damian D'Emilio, and Brandon Bates.
    Genoa High School wrestling team members, from left, rear: Tyler Baird, Nathan Moore, Max Reeder, Cody Buckner, and Dustin Widmer. Front row, from left: Jay Nino, Damian D'Emilio, and Brandon Bates.

    NORTHERN BUCKEYE CONFERENCE: Genoa hopes to pin down title

    With one of the best closing lineups in the area, the upper weights give Genoa the upper hand in the fight for the Northern Buckeye Conference title.

    The Comets won both the NBC dual meet and tournament titles last season and eight starters return.

    Junior Jay Nino (220 pounds), senior Cody Buckner (285), and junior Tyler Baird (182) form a formidable back end to the Comets' lineup. READ MORE.

     

    OHIO WRESTLING LEAGUE: Van Buren looks to end Gibsonburg run

    Gibsonburg looks to win its third straight Ohio Wrestling League tournament title, but the Golden Bears will have their work cut out for them.

    In a preseason poll of OWL coaches, Van Buren was picked as the league favorite, with Gibsonburg voted second, Cory-Rawson third, and McComb fourth.

    Van Buren only has 14 wrestlers for second-year coach Bryan Whitticar, and only one senior. But the Black Knights have nine returning starters, including two OWL champions, one league runner-up, and one third-place finisher. READ MORE.