By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE TEAM

Head Coach: Dave Wrobel, 24th year, 215-144 career dual-meet record.

Coaching Staff: Derek Wrobel, Marco Berquist, Conner Nemec, Phil Wrobel.

2023-24 Record: 7-8 dual meet, 2nd at Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division Tournament; 3rd at sectional tournament; 10th at district tournament.

2023-24 State Qualifiers: JP Wrobel, 126 pounds.

Returning Lettermen (12): Rocco Wrobel, soph.; Gio Brock, soph.; Jakob Devlin, soph.; Nick Lukart, soph.; Tye Berquist, soph.; Carmine Baran, soph.; Kade Rotter, jr.; Nolan Huntington, jr.; Michael Berquist, jr.; Brody MacLearie, jr.; Drew Post, sr.; Brenton Mason, sr.

Lettermen Lost (4): JP Wrobel, Drake Rennecker, Gavin McIntyre, Blake Baumgardner.

SEASON OUTLOOK

“Even though we return 12 lettermen, we are a young and inexperienced team,” Wrobel said. “Two-thirds of the team will be made up of freshmen and sophomores. Rocco Wrobel is the only district qualifier from last year. Kade Rotter and Drew Post qualified for districts two years ago.”

For Wrobel, he feels that the team’s opportunity to have success will depend on if his young squad can “step up” and the upperclassmen “take the next step.”

“We also need to stay healthy, because we have very little depth. And, just like every other season, we need to peak at the right time, which means right before the postseason begins.”

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Three freshmen appear ready to step into the varsity lineup for Wrobel, with Levi Daniels, Tyler Devlin and Chris Mory all coming in with much experience as youth wrestlers.

Daniels and Devilin won matches at the OAC Junior High State Tournament last year.

Mory was an alternate for the OAC tournament.

“All three will need to grow up fast, because they will be counted on immediately.”

Rocco Wrobel was a state alternate last year, despite competing in a challenging weight class, and is expected to anchor the lightweights this season for the Devils.

“He has worked extremely hard in the off-season and will need to provide some much needed leadership.”

Returning lettermen Bio Brock, a sophomore, as well as freshman Jordan Glynn and sophomore Jack Jackson, will compete for a spot in the lineup.

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Juniors Kade Rotter and Nolan Huntington are familiar faces that coach Wrobel is excited to see back after losing both to season-ending injuries last year.

“Both are solid wrestlers, who will be leaned on heavily to solidify the middleweights. Both had success as freshmen, with Kade qualifying for districts. Nolan has worked hard all off-season and is ready to prove what he is capable of doing.”

Sophomores Tye Berquist, Jakob Devlin and Nick Lukart all earned their first varsity letter last year, but Wrobel will push them to improve on last year’s season.

“Tye had a solid freshman year, where he had a winning record, as well as a fifth-place finish at sectionals. Both Tye and Nick put in some much-needed time during the off-season, with Tye wrestling some freestyle, too.”

Robby Georger and Carmine Baran are also expected to compete for spots, while providing depth to the lineup.

UPPERWEIGHTS

The lineup will lack upperclassmen, but does have experienced wrestlers in juniors Michael Berquist and Brody MacLearie, as well as seniors Drew Post and Brenton Mason.

“All four have spent a season or two in, and in some cases three seasons, competing. They will be counted on to provide leadership to a very young team.

“Michael had a winning season last year and Drew was a district qualifier as a sophomore. Brenton has the most experience, but will need to knock off the cobwebs, because he was sidelined for half the season with an injury.”

Logan Brown, who wrestled for the first time last year as an eighth-grader, returns and Wrobel identifies him as a competitor who “has potential and is a hard worker.”

WHAT MAKES THIS YEAR’S TEAM SPECIAL?

“They all have potential. Hopefully, they are ready to take the torch from last year’s senior class and keep the program headed in the right direction.”

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Tyler Devlin, fresh.; Levi Daniels, fresh.; Chris Mory, fresh.; Rocco Wrobel, soph.; Tye Berquist, soph.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“Making sure that the youngsters focus on their growth and development and not just wins and losses, because we have a challenging schedule.”

LEAGUE OUTLOOK

“Perry, Madison, West Geauga and Trinity look like the front-runners in the CVC. As for Portage County, look out for the usual suspects: Aurora, Streetsboro and Rootstown. We are still a year or two away from challenging for a league title in the CVC or a county title.”