By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

HEAD COACH

Anthony Anderson

2nd year

THE TEAM

Coaching Staff: Alan Marzec, Matt Damsa, Dan Gnabah, Nick Sladky.

2023-24 Record: Portage Trail Conference championship; Ashland Invitational champions; Bill Dies Tournament champions; Division III sectional champions.

Returning Lettermen (9): Nick Malek, sr.; Nathan Lee, sr.; Dominic Duvall,s r.; Tristan McKibben, sr.; Brian Youngblood, sr.; Mason Fleck, sr.; Mason King, jr.; Alex Ely, jr.; Nate Marzec, jr.

Returning Letterwinners (4): Reise Thomas, Valeria Wiener, Madison Giebel, Ella Derr.

Lettermen Lost (4): Will McEwuen, Tyler Paulus, Jullian Labriola, Tony Karp.

Letterwinners Lost (2): Porter Smith, Natalie Opritza.

SEASON OUTLOOK

Rootstown wrestling continues to be the pinnacle of success in Portage County.

The Rovers have won nine consecutive league championships and it has been 13 titles in 14 years.

Coach Anthony Anderson feels that the 2024-25 season can be filled with additional success.

“The season is bright, with four returning state qualifiers.”

Tristan McKibben, Domonic Duvall, Nathan Lee and Nick Malek are the four that advanced to the OHSAA’s state championship last season in Columbus.

“As long as everyone stays healthy, we have a chance to finish in the top 10 at the state tournament.”

Another source of excitement for the program is Rootstown’s girls wrestling program entering its second year.

“We are very excited for our girls wrestling team.”

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Alex Ely and Mason King are the two veteran leaders and the coaching staff indicates that they are “looking for big things” out of the talented duo.

Adding depth in the lightweights lineup are Logan Wilson, Braxton DeAngelis and Tyler Davis.

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Nick Malek is a returning state qualifier and already has more than 100 wins.

Nathan Lee is another state qualifier returning to the lineup, while Nate Marzec, Jamie Lee, Ayden Moyer, Jeff Sanicky, Carson Saltsman, Jake McGowan and Dylan Brown all pushing to add their contributions in the lineup.

Malek and Lee will absolutely be the leaders and both have all of the tools necessary to repeat or improve upon their special junior seasons.

UPPERWEIGHTS

Tristan McKibben is one of the spotlights here.

The senior is a returning state qualifier, who pushed his career win total over 100 last season.

In Columbus last March, McKibben placed fifth overall in Division III.

Dominic Duvall is another spotlight. He is a two-time state qualifier and a positive leader in the practice room, leading by example.

A third spotlight is Brian Youngblood, who is a third Rovers wrestler that reached the 100-win milestone last year.

Adding depth are Mason Fleck, Luke Rogan, Raylan Campbell, Peyton Simms, Aidan Dixon and Jackson DeAngelis.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

The Rovers’ staff points to the fact that the team is young and inexperienced in the lightweight division, while injuries could derail high hopes.