By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE COACH

Jeremy Anderson

20th year overall; 1st year at Rootstown

THE TEAM

Coaching Staff: Al Marzec.

2022-23 Record: 14-1, Portage Trail Conference champions; 1st place at Dies, Division III sectional championship, Division III district championship, 2nd at OHSAA Dual Meet State Championship.

Returning Lettermen (10): Tyler Paulus, sr.; Will McEwuen, sr.; Dominic Duvall, jr.; Nathan Lee, jr.; Brian Youngblood, jr.; Tristen McKibben, jr.; Nick Malek, jr.; Alex Ely, soph.; Nate Marzec, soph.; Chase Duvall, soph.

Lettermen Lost (8): Dylan Wise, Hutton Krieger, Jackson Heckert, Sylas Reiheld, Trent Gierke, Bryce Edwards, Cody Coontz, Lane McKenzie.

SEASON OUTLOOK

“We are junior-heavy, with several battling and settling into their weights,” first-year head coach Anthony Anderson said.

Anderson moves into the head-coaching role after coaching the Rootstown middle-school program for the last few years.

Rootstown’s previous high-school coach, Craig Wise, swapped him roles and is now leading the Rovers’ middle school.

For Anderson, he believes that his Rovers will find success this season if they can “stay focused and stay healthy.”

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Senior Will McEwuen is the team leader inside the lightweight classes, with Alex Ely, Nate Mark, Max McEwuen and Jamie Lee all working hard to put their name into the lineup.

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

The heart of the lineup is with the team’s junior class, including Tyler Paulus.

Anderson said many of the weight classes are still being sorted out, but once they are, they will include Nathan Lee, Nick Malek, Dominic Duvall and Tristen McKibben.

UPPERWEIGHTS

Brian Youngblood is the key performer here, with Kyle Reuting, Mason Fleck and Tony Karp also part of the starting lineup.

WHAT MAKES THIS TEAM SPECIAL?

“We are still young, but have a huge work ethic and the team is very driven.”