By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

HEAD COACH

Chris Dunfee

2nd year

THE TEAM

Coaching Staff: Ryan Fankhauser, David Hollinger.

Returning Lettermen (7): Noah Dunlap, sr.; Jeremiah Brumfield, sr.; Tobias Brunner, jr.; Gavin Edwards, jr.; Ethan Kurtz, jr.; Ethan Humbert,jr.; Carter Fertig, soph.

Lettermen Lost (1): Nathaniel Cummings.

SEASON OUTLOOK

The Rough Riders are putting in the work to get better everyday and that has second-year head coach Chris Dunfee optimistic about the season.

“We have a good mixture of youth and experience,” he said. “It is a good group of kids that work hard and are getting better. By mid-season, we will have close to a full lineup.”

Dunfee, though, is concerned with avoiding injuries, because the lineup lacks depth at most of the weight classes.

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Carter Fertig is a returning letterman and leads the lightweights.

“We are looking for him to take that next step this year. He is the veteran of our lightweights.”

Joining Fertig are three freshmen who will look to solidify spots in the lineup: Penny Edwards, Jacob Dunfee and Michael Hanley.

“Penny will wrestle a mixed boys and girls schedule, and she has a lot of promise and grit.”

Dunfee enters with a lot of youth and junior-high experience.

Hanley is new to Kent, and he is new to the sport, but Dunfee said he “works hard and is learning quickly.”

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

This is where the Rough Riders’ depth is at its thinnest.

Jeremiah Brumfield, though, is one of the program’s vocal leaders.

“He works hard and raises the level of those around him.”

Tobias Brunner is another wrestler who brings energy to the practice room and is a leader on the team.

“Tobias has an infectious personality that keeps things light. He is an experienced wrestler, who did a lot of wrestling this summer.”

Isaac Emmanuel is a new wrestler this season, and he has jumped in to work hard and ask questions to try to learn the sport.

UPPERWEIGHTS

“This is the deepest part of our lineup.”

Gavin Edwards, who is one of the Riders’ captains, nearly advanced to the state championships in Columbus last year.

“He has worked hard all summer, and he is a great leader by example.”

Noah  Dunlap is another one of the team’s captains and Dunfee feels he is ready for a breakout year.

Ethan Humbert earned a letter last year and Dunfee said the staff is “expecting him to take the next step forward” this season.

Ethan Kurtz was given the title as “most improved” by Dunfee.

“He has a great attitude and work ethic.”

Freshmen Noah Catanese and JJ Lombardo will also be in the mix.

Catanese brings experience and will battle for a varsity spot, while Lombardo falls into the team’s deepest weight class, but still will be able to battle for a spot in the lineup.

Ethan Braham is a “hard working and experienced” wrestler. He lost all of last year because of a football injury.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Penny Edwards, fresh.; Jacob Dunfee, fresh.; Carter Fertig, soph.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“Injuries could be a concern with our lack of depth in the light and middleweights. Lack of experience at some varsity weights, starting at least three freshmen every match. We will need to adjust and learn quickly.”