Marysville High School’s boys wrestling team is pictured from left, front row, Ben Durey, Justin Valdez, PJ Patterson, Gage Riley, Joseph Bates, Zach Pfarr, Ethan Skiles, Juice Kennedy, Blaize Hall and Nathan Delauter; second row, Cole Clarridge, Emilio Guerrero, Joe Elay, Lincoln Witt, Josh Melms, Jack Golla, Max Shroyer, Erik Nelson, Ryan Stalk and Matt Elayu; third row, Riley Miller, Brady Seger, Ben Bickerstaff, Christian McCartney, Alton Dobyns, Andrew Howard, Stephen Garcia, Jarod Shock and Erryl Will; fourth row, head coach Shawn Andrews, Parker Reese, Zach McMinn, Lincoln Heard, Nate Thompson, Austin Winn and assistant coach Curtis Thompson. Not pictured, Colton Powers, Austin Romine and assistant coaches Tim Crane, Austin Pfarr and James Stodart. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
Marysville High School wrestling coach Shawn Andrews has a number of returning lettermen back from the 2019-20 squad.
The season will begin in late December.
The Monarchs’ season-opening duals tournament that was scheduled for the first weekend of the month was canceld.
MHS lost only a pair of seniors – Joey Palmer and Garrett Seger – to graduation.
As such, there are a number of veterans back in the fold.
Returning lettermen and their weight classes for the upcoming campaign are as follows:
-106: Ethan Skiles;
-113: Zach Pfarr;
-120: Amelio Guerrero;
-126: Nate Thompson (a state tournament alternate);
-132: Lincoln Witt (a district qualifier);
-138: Josh Melms (sixth in the Division I district tournament);
-145: Lincoln Heard (a two-time state qualifier) and Riley Miller;
-152: Jack Golla or Erryl Will (a state tournament qualifier);
-160: Brady Seger or Will;
-170: Colton Powers (sixth place in the district tournament);
-182: Christian McCartney (a district qualifier);
-195: Ben Bickerstaff (district qualifier).
-Hwt.: Zach McMinn.
Andrews said the 220-pound weight class is wide open.
Steven Garcia could earn the starting spot in that weight division.
Parker Reese could also see plenty of action in the 170-182 divisions.
“Some guys will shift weights as the season progresses,” said Andrews.
With the COVID-19 shutdown that was lifted on Dec. 7, the Monarchs have not had much of an opportunity to get on the practice mats.
As such, Andrews said the team will go into the season with the goal of improving with each practice and whatever matches it is permitted to have.
“We just want to keep working hard and control what we can control,” said the coach.