By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

THE TEAM

Head Coach: Andy Young, 1st year.

Coaching Staff: Joseph Hicks, Tom Mignano, Bill Jackson.

Returning Lettermen (5): Kayne Smith, Dalton Brayton, Sam Russell, Abigail Roberts, Haylie Camacho.

Lettermen Lost (6): Brayden Robinson, Dublin Porter, Jeremiah Wills, David Lindsay, Kaeden Sullivan, Hunter Mangus.

League: Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference.

TEAM OUTLOOK

Overall, the Vikings are a young team, but they do have a group of returning wrestlers who have the potential to take the next step.

“We have a few new faces in the room, who are wrestling for the first time, but they have already shown promise through open mats.

“We are also looking to grow our girls program with two tough competitors returning to the team and, overall, we are looking for growth on the mat every single day. I want a program-wide focus on toughness and striving to improve both on and off the mat.”

WE HAVE A SUCCESSFUL SEASON IF…

“If we can stay mentally tough and strive to get better every day.”

LIGHTWEIGHTS

(103-132 POUNDS)

Kayne Smith will wrestle at 113 pounds after a successful and winning season last year as a freshman.

Ben Riley, who is new to the program, but has “a lot of natural wrestling ability,” according to Young, has settled in at 120.

Dalton Braybon is expected to be an anchor at 132, but could possibly bump up to 138.

MIDDLEWEIGHTS

(138-165 POUNDS)

Sam Russell is a returning letterman, who is expected to be an anchor for the weight class.

UPPERWEIGHTS

(175-HEAVYWEIGHT)

Sophomore Zachary Mignano is described by Young as a promising newcomer.

“He brings martial arts experience and that will hopefully transfer to the wrestling mat.”

WHAT MAKES THIS YEAR’S TEAM SPECIAL?

“This year’s team will be special to me because it is my first shot at being a head coach at the high-school level. I have had multiple stops as a middle school head coach (Field, Kent Roosevelt and Tallamdge) and spent the last two seasons as an assistant high-school coach at Canton South, learning under Joe Retherford. It has always been my end goal to take over a program, and I couldn’t be more excited to get started.”

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Kayne Smith, Dalton Braybon.

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

“Sam Russell is our lone senior. He is coming off of a 20-plus win season, and we hope to build on that. He has shown great leadership in the room so far, and I have been very impressed with his work ethic.”

TEAM MOTTO

“No excuses.”

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“Our overall numbers. We will not fill every weight class, and we have a handful of wrestlers all starting the season right around the same weight. My hope is that team and individual success will drive participation in years to follow.”

LEAGUE OUTLOOK

“I am new to the league and the division. I expect Southeast and Garfield will be the top-two contenders for the league title this year.”