By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

HEAD COACH

John Foster

4th year

THE TEAM

Coaching Staff: Bill Jackson, Deagan Foster, Tyler Brown, Rex Fryer.

2023-24 Record: 3rd at Malvern Tournament, 3rd at United Tournament, 5th at Waterloo D3 Classic, 4-5 dual-meet record.

Returning Lettermen (6): Dublin Porter, Jeremiah Willis, Hayden Mays, Jack White, Bradyn Robinson, Sammy Russell.

Lettermen Lost (3): Rex Fryer, Jayden Hakin, Aidan King.

SEASON OUTLOOK

“We are a good mix of underclassmen and upperclassmen,” head coach John Foster said. “The majority of the upperclassmen have had good success in their high-school careers and the younger ones are a very hard working group. Our room stays very competitive during practice, and we are excited to see that carry over into our matches.”

Foster feels the team’s success relies on staying healthy, but also on confidence.

“Regardless of how big the match, we just need to wrestle with confidence.”

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Kayne Smith will wrestle at 106. He is a freshman, who joins the lineup after a successful junior-high career and hard work throughout the off-season.

“Kayne is a funky kind of wrestler, who has the ability to score from just about anywhere.”

Courtney Esinbraun is in her first year as a wrestler. She is a senior and will wrestle at 113 pounds.

“She definitely has a toughness that some kids just don’t have. I think she is going to find quite a bit of success this season once she gains some more experience.”

Dublin Porter will be at 113 and Jeremiah Wilis at 120.

Willis is a two-time district qualifier and returns after his best season last year.

“Jeremiah is looking to improve again. He is a kid that you never have to question his effort. Dublin has wrestled all the way through his youth, junior high and high-school careers. He had more than 30 wins last year as a junior, and we are expecting a big season.”

Sophomore Hayden Mays will also push for time at 120, while Jack White and Kaeden Sullivan will be at 126.

“Jack has a bunch of experience and works hard in the room. Kaeden is a first-year wrestler, who has progressed drastically since his first day in the room.”

Another freshman, Dalton Braybon, will wrestle at 132.

“He is an aggressive wrestler, who has a lot of experience.”

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Senior Braydn Robinson is a two-time district qualifier and spotlights the lineup at 138.

“With the right focus this season, he absolutely has the ability to improve past districts.”

Freshman Hunter Mangus will also work at 138 in the practice room.

At 144, Sammy Russell brings a “ton of natural athleticism,” according to Foster. The junior had his season scut short the last two years because of injury.

David Lindsay, a freshman, will wrestle at 150 and Chase Lashley is at 165.

“David is very coachable and eager to learn. Chase is new to our room, but also eager to learn.”

WATERLOO GIRLS

Abby Roberts will wrestle at 175, Haylie Camacho at 190 and Kirstin Linard at 215.

“Abby started the season strong, but due to illness now has some catching up to do. She is competitive in the room. Haylie had an injury and will have some catching up, but she is also not afraid to compete. Kirstin is a wrestler we feel that once she builds some confidence, she will see some success.”

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Kayne Smith, Dalton Braybon, Hunter Mangus, David Lindsay.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“The biggest concern is the same as many other teams: To do our best to stay healthy.”

LEAGUE OUTLOOK

Foster has Aurora and Streetsboro as the top teams that will be at the Portage County Tournament; Jackson-Milton, Malvern and his Vikings as front-runners in the EOWL’s Division 4; and Garfield, Crestview and his group as the teams that he feels could contend for a Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference title.