By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE COACH

Duane Funk

11th year

THE TEAM

Coaching Staff: Sherman Benedum, Joey Hancock.

Returning Lettermen (14): Travis Hummel, sr.; Kasey Pruitt, jr.; Cole Reese, jr.; Breadan Manley, jr.; Blake Hershberger, jr.; Matthew Plum, jr.; Matthew Trusky, soph.; Dylan Benedum, soph.; Mia Gaetjens, sr.; Sidney Fortner, jr.; Lizzy Terry, jr.; MJ Shellenbarger, soph.; Kai Gaetjens, soph.

Lettermen Lost (1): Tyler Shellenbarger (2023 state champion now at Lake Erie College).

SEASON OUTLOOK

“We are still a young team, with a lot of match experience from the past two seasons, and I am looking forward to seeing the kids improve and reach their wrestling goals for this season,” Funk said. “We will be successful as long as we can stay healthy and get better every day in practice.”

LIGHTWEIGHTS

The only senior of the group, Travis Hummel, was injured during the football season and Funk hopes to have him back by the end of the wrestling season.

Juniors Breadan Manley, Owen Roberts and Blake Hershberger, along with freshman Evan Phillips are also part of the Wildcats’ lightweights.

For the girls, sophomore Kai Gaetjens was a state-placer last season, while juniors Sidney Fortner and Lizzy Terry will also be in the lightweights.

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Another football injury slows the middleweights a bit, with junior Cole Reese getting dinged in the final game of the football season against Kirtland. He is eyeing a January return to the wrestling mat.

Fellow juniors Kasey Pruitt, Aaron Rumschlag, Matthew Plum and Jack Snavely help fill out the middleweights.

For the girls, senior Mia Gaetjens was a state-placer last year and enters the season with 67 career wins.

Sophomore MJ Shellenbarger was injured last season, but returns with high hopes for 2023-24.

UPPERWEIGHTS

The group is spotlighted by juniors Daniel Colebank and Troy Meyers, along with sophomores Matthew Trusty, Ben Holler and Dylan Benedum.

WHAT MAKES THE TEAM SPECIAL?

“We only have two seniors on the team, and we have a lot of juniors with mat experience at the high-school level. They are looking forward to helping each other hit their goals.”

SENIOR CAPTAINS

Travis Hummel, Mia Gaetjens.

TEAM MOTTO

Respect all. Fear none.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“My only concern is staying healthy all season. We are already missing two kids that are recovering from football injuries.”

LEAGUE OUTLOOK

“Rootstown is the team to beat. They are a very solid team that placed in the state duals last year.”