Head coach Paul McDevitt doesn’t expect an easy season for the Wildcat grapplers, who took Districts last year and were Regional qualifiers – but does expect them to be the best they can by the end.
“It’s like I keep saying time after time, we need to consistently improve,” McDevitt tells his team. “We have a great chance at having a really solid team by the end of the season, but we need to make the strides to get there.”
Oxford’s Varsity Wrestling team is relatively young this year with ten freshman, five sophomores and six juniors. The Wildcats graduated both of their state champs last season, however, hopes are still high for another title at Districts and a push in Regionals for State.
McDevitt said the team really reminds him of the group in 1999 – where the Wildcats started out shaky, but found what it took to reach State Finals.
“We really need to keep improving and see how far we can take it in the end,” said McDevitt. “But we’re going to have to knock off the best to get there.”
Team captains for this year are seniors Ron Mantel, Shawn Gall, Mike Potter and Kyle Rowley. Potter is a state qualifier, Mantel is a two-time state qualifier and Mantel took seventh in the state last season. Also looking as a dominant force on the team is Kyle Oliver.
“He has shown a lot of improvement since last year and I’m looking for big things from him, especially in leadership,” said McDevitt.
The Oxford grapplers began their season on Dec. 5 by suffering a 12-60 loss to Montrose, but receiving some relief with a 66-9 win against an almost nonexistent Mt. Morris.
Mike May, at 119, was the only Wildcat to pin against Montrose. Against Mt. Morris, which forfeited most of its matches, the following wrestlers earned points: Bryant Vielhaber, 125, pin; Ron Mantel, 130, pin; Shawn Gall, 135, pin; and Mike Potter, 160, pin.
Oxford’s next tri-meet is at home against Redford and Rochester. McDevitt said he expects to see what his wrestlers can really do against some comparable teams. On Saturday, Dec. 13, the Wildcats return to the Romeo Team Tournament to try and either defend or improve upon last season’s second place finish.