By Roger Gordon

Correspondent

When Jarreau Walker won a Division II district championship in the 106-pound weight class last season as a Streetsboro freshman, he thought he was on his way to the state tournament in Columbus.

“He would’ve won state in my opinion,” second-year Rockets head coach Mark Skonieczny said.

However, Walker was denied a shot at winning state title due to his excessive celebration — doing the “McGregor Walk” — after defeating an opponent from Canton South 5-1 in the district-championship match, not allowing his opponent a single offensive point.

This season, Walker will compete either in the 106- or 113-pound weight class, but probably the 113.

“Jarreau is extremely strong, extremely gifted and extremely quick,” Skonieczny said.

“He trains five, six days a week with us, and he trains a couple times at night with his dad. This

is this kid’s life. He’s been doing it since he was 5 years old. He’s got a special talent.”

Walker lost one match last season. He missed five weeks because of a broken rib and did not

return until the Metro Athletic Conference Tournament.

“I believe he will win the state title this year whether it’s at 113 or 106,” said the coach, who is in his ninth season overall as a head coach at the high-school level. “He’s plenty good enough.”

Skonieczny believes three other Rockets have a legitimate chance of wrestling in the Schottenstein Center come March: Junior Anthony Sindelar at 126, senior Cohen Klimak at 165 and junior Cam Rogowski at 157.

Sindelar finished seventh in the 120-pound weight division at the state tournament last season. Klimak has followed an unusual path to Columbus, qualifying his freshman and sophomore years, but falling short last season.

Rogowski blew out his shoulder last January and missed the rest of the season.

“Anthony is extremely talented, a great technician and a hard worker. He’s a top-four kid at this year’s state in my opinion,” Skonieczny said. “Cohen is going to be one of the team leaders. He’s a great athlete, a great leader, an extremely hard worker. We’re expecting him also to be a top-four kid at state this year.”

Last season, Streetsboro had an 11-4 dual-meet record and finished second in the MAC Tournament, despite filling just 10-of-14 weight classes due to injuries.

The Rockets will try to withstand the losses to graduation of Aidan Carone, Justin Joltin,

Hunter Smith and Chris Claar and knock off defending conference champ Cloverleaf, as well as

contenders Woodridge and Norton.

“I’d be very upset if we don’t win the MAC,” Skonieczny said.

If Walker competes at 113, two sophomores — returning lettermen Johnny Bollanger and

Jay Kittle — will compete for 106.

“Johnny and Jay are both experienced wrestlers, they both work extremely hard,” said the

coach.

Two district qualifiers last season will fill the 120- and 132-pound weight classes in senior

Matt Klimak (Cohen’s cousin) at 120 and senior Justin Wargo at 132.

“Matt can scramble, he’s funky, he’s in great shape, he’s a good athlete,” Skonieczny said. “Justin is a hard-working kid, is self-disciplined. He’ll be one of the team leaders.”

Sophomore Jerry Benci and freshmen Nathan Giambrone and Aiden Ward will fill the

138-, 144- and 150-pound weight classes. Skonieczny is just not sure which wrestlers will compete in which divisions.

“Jerry was a district qualifier last season. He’s probably one of the hardest-working kids

on the team. He never misses a practice. He comes to go to work,” said Skonieczny. “Nathan and Aiden both had amazing junior-high careers. I’m looking forward to see these kids compete for a starting job.”

The 175-pound weight class will be manned by sophomore returning letterman Demetrius Fuller. Fuller hurt his neck right before sectionals last year, ending his season.

“Demetrius is a strong, tough kid, an extremely good athlete,” the coach said. “I’m expecting big things from him.”

The 190- and 215-pound weight classes are up for grabs.

Senior returning letterman Jayce Fedor will likely compete in the heavyweight class.

Skonieczny, whose assistant coaches are Mike Fagan, Mike Fagan, Jr., Limen Fagan, Cody Cheatham, Craig Wise and James Kuchta, believes his team will enjoy a successful season if it stays healthy.

“That was our huge problem last year,” he said. “We didn’t even have anyone compete in the 190- and 215-pound weight classes – because of injuries. We have a lot of returning talent. I have a lot of hard-nosed kids. I’m expecting these guys to put it all together and win or place in

the top three in every regular-season tournament we compete in. I’m looking to get four to six kids down to the state tournament.”