Trending
Warren's wrestling team made huge gains a season ago, finishing 8-5 overall with three wrestlers advancing to the Northwest Region 2A Wrestling Championships.
"We'd like to build on what we accomplished last season," said Warren coach Glenn Baldensperger prior to the Dragons' season opener against Franklin on Monday at Warren Area High School. "We won most of the matches we should have last season. We want to be more competitive in all our duals (this season)."
The lineup will start out looking something like: 114 pounds-Adika Fiscus (11); 121-Ryan Fitzsimmons (12); 127-Trey Carrington (9); 131-Cameron Williams (11); 139-Ethen Ringer (9); 145-Ryan Letko (10) or Kaiden Garris (9); 152-Conner Zaffino (11); 160-Hector Cruz (12); 172-Sebastian Oyola (10); 189-Damien Sanchez (12), Izaya Conklin (9), or Landon Nelson (10); 215-Joe Krall (10); and 285-Tyson Harkins (10) or Wyatt Stearns (10).
Returning regional qualifiers from last season include Fiscus and Fitzsimmons.
"Adika has continued to compete in the offseason and attended many extra clinics," said Baldensperger. "Ryan Fitzsimmons has turned the corner. He had a great team camp at PSU. Damien has continued to get bigger and stronger with a focus to go deep into the postseason. Conner Zaffino, Joe Krall, Cameron Williams and Hector Cruz will be looking to make their mark this season.
"Trey Carrington and Ryan Letko are both back after a year off," added Baldensperger. "We look for both to show strong improvement through the season and help stabilize our lineup.
"Ethen Ringer brings an abundance of athleticism to the 139 spot," said Baldensperger. "We all look for strong improvement in his technique and for him to make a run in the postseason.
"Sebastian Oyola missed most of last season with an injury," said the coach. "He has been working hard this offseason and we look for him to hold down the 172 spot.
"Tyson Harkins will be a pleasant addition this year," said Baldensperger. "He joined us in the offseason. We look forward to seeing him improve. Izaya Conklin, Landon Nelson and Wyatt Stearns all look to improve and hopefully see some action."
After the JCC kickoff tourney over the weekend, Warren will return home Dec. 13 to host Union City. The big match at Eisenhower is Dec. 19.
"Titusville and Corry beat us pretty good last season, so we're looking to make those more competitive," said Baldensperger. "The Eisenhower match is always exciting; we came up short last season."
Baldensperger said, even coming off Warren's winning season last year, "it's baby steps, but once they (figure it out), good luck.
"You have to pay your dues," added Baldensperger. "Quality practices during the offseason and in season. You can't just want to be great on the day of the match. Show up to practice, be on time, work hard and the rest will take care of itself... It takes a team of coaches to have a well-oiled machine. Everybody seems to be busier than ever. So quality help is what is needed most."
Coaches include Garrett Smead (the lead girls team coach),Steve Siliano, Brian Swanson, Adam Miller, Dan Pascuzzi, Tristan Dolan, Matt Lowry, Jacob Fankhouser, and Keith Kophazy.