Ethan Tefs of Wyoming competes at the Greg Rogers Memorial Wrestling Tournament last season.
WYOMING – Defending Cincinnati Hills League wrestling coach of the year Brian Pitman is back with another stable of stars at Wyoming High School.
The Cowboys were second to Reading in the CHL, who was won the league the last 10 years. Pitman returns eight starters in sophomore Ethan Tefs at 132 pounds, sophomore Yima Nyamor at138, junior Noah Pitman at 145, junior Zach Van Fossen at 152, senior Justin Shields at 160, senior Luke Kremzar at 170, senior Max Frankel at 220 and senior Ben Padnos at 285.
Nyamor was a sectional champion last season, with Noah Pitman taking a CHL title. Tefs, Shields and Kremzar were district qualifiers and Van Fossen had a 20-win season. Pitman was CHL first team, with Tefs, Nyamor, Shields, Kremzar and Padnos making second team. Max Frankel was honorable mention.
“We have small numbers, but very solid and experienced wrestlers,” Coach Pitman said. “I look for a number of individual championships at tournaments.”
Shields could reach 100 wins this season and should pass the 50-pin mark. Noah Pitman should pass the 75-win mark for his father, as should Kremzar, a former third-grade student of Brian Pitman in the Wyoming school system.
The Cowboys take on Cooper, Taylor and Little Miami Dec. 9, then head for the Deer Park Invitational Dec. 12. On Dec. 18-19, Wyoming will square off in the Blanchester Duals.
An individual state qualifier a year ago breeds excitement and confidence even if Princeton High School wrestler Anthony Alexander graduated. For the rest of the returning Vikings, watching Alexander march to state was undoubtedly inspiring.
Princeton returns some quality wrestlers as well as a big freshman class that has coach Ty Robbins excited.
Senior D’Alan Wright (160 pounds) made it back last season for the postseason, but injury limited him in the regular season. Senior Abdoulaye Guisse is back in action at 145. Senior Mamadou Deing broke into the varsity lineup late last season, and Robbins said he wrestled well at sectionals but missed making districts.
Robbins called sophomore 113-pounder Jovan Fuqua a “tough kid.” Fuqua was a key piece last year for the Vikings.
Sophomore Collin Houston (126) has “probably made the most strides,” since last season said Robbins. In preparation for this season, junior Zach Johnson (152) suffered an injury, and Robbins said they’re waiting to get him back because he can certainly help.
“We have about 40 kids out,” said Robbins. “I’m really excited about the freshman class cause we’ve got some really talented kids … the kids who have wrestled all year work extremely hard, they go to every event, always on time in the practice room. They’re good role models, and they won’t to be good, they really do.”
On Dec. 12 Princeton travels to Kentucky for the Ryle Raider Rumble.
The wrestling Crusaders of Moeller High School are anxious to get back on the mats as they chase their third consecutive Greater Catholic League-South championship. In his first year as head coach last season, James Yonushonis directed Moeller to a 14.5 point advantage over Elder in the league meet and was named GCL South coach of the year.
Ten Crusaders took all-league honors, with five making first team. Among those were current team members Jacoby Ward at 138 pounds, Brett Bryant at 170, Sam Wyche at 182 and Joe Hensley at 285.
Making second team were Mitchell Moore at 106, Jake Thompson at 132 and Jack Meyer at 220.
Senior Jacoby Ward is a three-time state placer and junior Brett Bryant also placed in Columbus last March. Joining Ward and Bryant in the middle weights is junior Drew Hobbs who was out injured last season.
Among the lighter weights, Jake Thompson was a state qualifier as a freshman and Moore had some success at the district meet. Boosting the bunch will be Jordan Ward who had a very successful junior high career.
Jack Meyer was a state placer and will lead the large men of Moeller along with state qualifier Joe Hensely. Junior The-Moor Kelley was a district qualifier as was sophomore Sam Wyche.
Moeller will next compete in the Iron Man meet at Walsh Jesuit Dec. 11. They’ll wrap up 2015 with the Southwest Ohio Coaches Classic Dec. 20 at Harrison and the Powerade meet at Canon McMillan High School in Canonsburg, Pennsyvlania Dec. 28-30.
“These events will help prepare us to take on local rivals Elder and Mason, as well as national powerhouse St. Paris Grahm,” Yonushonis recently told The Enquirer. “However, the main goal for us is to be peaking in February and March for the sectionals, districts and state (meet).”
The start of Tom Wynn’s career coaching St. Xavier High School wrestling has been unforgettable. In Wynn’s first two seasons, the Bombers made history with back-to-back undefeated state champions.
Joe Heyob, who now wrestles at Penn, went unbeaten in 2013-14. Cole Jones, who’s playing football and wrestling at West Point, did the unthinkable when he duplicated Heyob’s season in 2014-15.
“It’s gonna be hard” to make it three in row, Wynn said. Jones and Heyob – what set them apart – Wynn said, was a tenacious attitude and belief: “You’ve got to hate to lose more than you like to win.”
At this point in the fresh season, with football players still making their way into the room, Wynn said his guys are still in search of the Jones/Heyob formula.
“It could happen with one of these guys this season,” Wynn said in regard to one of his wrestlers finding a championship mentality and work ethic seemingly required in every great grappler.
The Bombers, ranked No. 13 in The Enquirer Division I preseason coaches’ poll, have seven returning starters. Senior 120-pounder Sam Kreider and senior 126-pounder Nick Falke are both back after reaching the district tournament last year. Wynn said Kreider finished fifth at districts, one spot away from making it to state.
Senior Nick Damico returns and he’ll wrestle either 145 or 152. Junior Connor Yauss is in the same boat as Damico in terms of weight classes. Sophomore Andy Yauss will be the Bombers’ 113-pounder.
Sophomore Jack Heyob, Joe’s younger brother, is a returning starter at 182 pounds. Senior Michael Gerbus, another returning starter and football player, looks to fill 220 pounds, vacated by Cole Jones.
“They want to learn the sport of wrestling which is really fun this year,” Wynn said. “They’re becoming more passionate about the sport; that makes it interesting. Then you have a good vibe in the room everyday.”
On Dec. 8, St. Xavier hosts Elder in a dual match, before the Bombers travel to Mason for a dual Dec. 9.
Wrestlers to watch
Noah Pitman, Wyoming –Junior was CHL champion at 145 pounds and CHL first team.
Yima Nyamor, Wyoming – Was sectional champion at 138 pounds as a freshman for the Cowboys.
Justin Shields, Wyoming – Senior was a district qualifer as a junior and CHL second team.
Jacoby Ward, Moeller – Senior is a three-time state placer. He was district champion at 138 pounds as a junior and at 132 pounds as a sophomore.
Jack Meyer, Moeller – Senior was fifth in the state meet at 220 pounds and third in the district meet.
