With four state qualifiers returning to coach Doug Kline’s lineup, the wrestling program at LOHS is getting some early attention across the state.
‘Our kids have been chomping at the bit for two months,? Kline said. ‘They could not wait for practice to get started.?
‘They’ve got a lot to live up to, but they set their own standards pretty high,? he added.
The team is sixth in the state preseason rankings.
‘We’re getting a lot of respect around the state,? Kline said.
‘They know what the situation is,? he said of the team, which is 53 members strong. ‘Expectations are high.?
With a young nucleus, the coach said his team should be solid for years to come.
‘We’re almost all juniors, with a few sophomores mixed in,? Kline said.
Two such wrestlers, sophomore Evan Gros and junior Spenser Grzadzinski, placed fifth and sixth at states last year, respectively.
Grzadzinski will again wrestle at 103 pounds while Gros will do the same at 189.
Junior Jake Varilek and senior Allen Sigler also return with state experience last year, and as co-captains for this go-around (junior Joe Graffeo is the third co-captain, but is currently injured).
Varilek is a two-time state qualifier, narrowly missing out on placing both times.
‘He’ll break the 100-win mark in the first two weeks of the season,? Kline said.
Varilek is slated to move up to 152 pounds (from 130 last year), and Sigler will again wrestle at 160.
The team lost just four seniors that were starters at the end of last year.
‘We’re going to be able to handle all of them from within,? Kline said.
‘We’ll be experienced everywhere except for 215,? he added. ‘We’re trying to groom somebody there.?
A.J. Pratt (125) and Chance Hadden (145) return as starters after suffering injuries last season.
Kline said Doug Mack and Josh Romeo will flip-flop between 112 and 119 pounds.
Justin Ruddy, Billy Bissett, Jeremy Peshl and Jake Arnold will all see time ranging from 125 pounds to 140.
Morgan Maciejewski (171) and heavyweight Matt Thomas round out Kline’s projected starters.
The coach added that there are also quite a few promising freshmen on the roster.
‘With this lineup, though, it’s going to be hard for them to break in,? he said.
Kline said the squad is one of the deepest and most talented that he’s ever had.
‘In the last couple of years, we’ve set goals like getting into the top five in the county or the top three,? Kline said. ‘This year we want to win it all.?
The coach added that he doesn’t judge success by wins and losses.
‘I told them my goal is to be the most conditioned team every time we wrestle,? he said.
When it comes to recapturing the league crown, Kline said a familiar foe will be ready to do battle.
‘Clarkston will be the biggest challenge,? he said.
The Wolves beat LO in the regular season and took the OAA I title last season.
The Dragons fell to Davison in regional action.
This season’s schedule is the state’s most grueling, just the way the coach wanted it.
‘We’re going to see everyone in the top 10 except for Rockford,? Kline said.
The Dragons open the season at home on Thursday against both Oxford and Lapeer East.
‘They’re perennial powers, both of them,? Kline said.
After that, the team will host the annual Dragon Invite, which will expand from six teams to 10 this year, and includes powerhouse teams like Holt and Hartland (ranked #2 in the state).
‘Those teams make it a very tough tournament,? said Kline, whose team has lost to Holt in the tourney five straight years.
‘Obviously, we owe them,? he said.