By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

HEAD COACH

Eric Kline

1st year

0-0 career record

THE TEAM

Coaching Staff: Madison Davis, Shawn Bonfine, Tom Parker, Jeremiah Sanders, Brad Hager, Shane Michael, Mike Prikryl, Spencer Schoepe.

2021-22 Record: 1-7 Metro Athletic Conference.

Returning Lettermen (5): Cory Cole, Sean Loucks, Donovan Mack, David Davis, Alex Johnson.

Lettermen Lost (3): Shane Michael, Ayden Falkenberg, Jesse Arthur.

SEASON OUTLOOK

Ravenna’s lineup is very young and very inexperienced this year.

“We have a lot of freshmen that are first-year wrestlers,” said first-year coach Eric Kline, who is a 1995 Ravenna graduate and former wrestler. “We have about 13 wrestlers at the high-school level this year. Myself and my coaching staff have worked extremely hard this summer and fall to build our youth and middle school and those numbers have drastically improved this year.”

Kline is hopeful that the momentum continues to rebuild a Ravens program that is deep in tradition and success.

“We have a great group of kids from the youth to build on in the coming years,” he said. “There is great interest and excitement from the parents and community on getting our pgoram building in the right direction.”

Which is something Kline said he knows is a crucial part of getting the program back to where he wants it to be.

“We have to change the culture in our entire program to be competitive and that starts with myself, my staff and the wrestlers. We have to be committed on being better today than we were yesterday.”

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Freshman Carter Prisby, a first-year wrestler, will step into the spot at 106 pounds.

At 113, Cory Cole, a senior, brings varsity experience to the group. He is a letterman and coach Kline said he has high expectations for Cole this year.

Ryder Denning, a freshman that returns to wrestling after playing basketball the last couple of years, will work at 120 pounds.

“He has the wrestling ability and work ethic to one day punch his ticket to Columbus,” Kline said.

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Senior Sean Loucks will wrestle at 144 pounds and returns to the program as a three-year lettermen.

“I have coached Sean when he ws in youth, and he has all the tools to make it to the state wrestling tournament this year,” Kline said. “Once Sean understands how to prepare for each practice and each match mentally, he can compete with the best of them.”

Kline added that Looks has “taken steps forward on becoming a leader within the team this year.”

At 157 will be Cameron Boykin. He returns with hopes to move past the injuries that have plagued him in previous seasons.

“Cameron has made big strides since open mats started this year,” Kline said. “I’m excited to see what he can bring to our varsity lineup.”

Donovan Mack takes over at 175 pounds. The sport is in the bloodlines, with his father, Jason Mack, earning a state runner-up finish back in 1990.

“Donovan has all the qualities that you want on your team,” Kline said. “He also has the ability to lead this team, he just needs to find it and lead them.”

UPPERWEIGHTS

David Davis holds the spot at 190.

“David has wrestled over the summer to better himself this year. He has everything you want in a wrestler, teammate and leader,” Kline said. “I have been pushing David pretty good during this season just because I know what he is capable of doing in the sport. Once David finds himself, he can one day punch his ticket to Columbus as well.”

Senior Alex Johnson brings leadership to the program, according to Kline, despite the fact that Johnson just began wrestling last year as a junior.

“Alex works hard daily,” Kline said. “If he keeps working hard, he can make some noise this year.”

WHAT MAKES THIS YEAR’S TEAM SPECIAL?

“They all want to work hard. They really do and they all want to make an impact on this program now and for the future wrestlers. I tell my kids this daily, ‘You are the ones that will change our wrestling culture now and for the future. So let’s change it’!”

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Ryder Denning, Dominic Heeter, Ayden Kendrick.

TEAM MOTTO

“If you know your worth, then go get what you’re worth!”

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“Very inexperienced and young,” Kline said.

LEAGUE OUTLOOK

Kline points to Streetsboro, Woodridge and Cloverleaf as the top teams in the Metro Athletic Conference.