The 2019-2020 North Union wrestling team is pictured from the left, front row, Kaleb McClung, Blake Coopr, Trace Williams, Gabe Hansen, Caleb Isler, Liam Adams and Casey Clark; second row, Johnny Strickland, Jeremiah Brill, Kyle Daley, Alec O’Reilly, Kamren Apt and Shan Swank; third row, coach Randall Riffle, coach Christian Koch, Warren Millington, Daren Forey, Caleb Fitch, Kane Beltz, Skyler Cowgill and head coach Garret Andrews. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
The North Union Wildcat wrestling squad has found itself on the winning side of most exchanges.
NU finished as the runner-up to St. Paris Graham in the Central Buckeye Conference last year, sent several wrestlers to the state meet and finished in the top spot at sectionals.
The Wildcats are used to winning.
Head coach Garret Andrews said it is because of a solid group of wrestlers that will not be returning to the team.
“We lost a group of five seniors that combined for more than 550 wins and five state tournament qualifications, along with a state placer, Dylan Thompson,” he said.
That experience has kept the Cats near the top of the standings in most meets, but this year will be different for North Union, according to Andrews.
“I think our biggest struggle will be our inexperience in a lot of weight classes,” he said. “We should fill most weight classes, though.”
The Wildcats will dress 18 grapplers this season with a variety of experience levels. However, Andrews will be looking to a trio of wrestlers to help lead this year’s team.
They are Skylar Cowgill, Alec O’Reilly and Kane Beltz.
Andrews said the trio all have district experience as returning letter winners and will be a huge asset to a team that will feature some novice wrestlers as well.
Andrews added that his youthful group is making daily strides.
“They are getting better each practice,” Andrews said. “I imagine by the time January comes around, our team will look a lot different than the team we are now.”
Along with a young team, Andrews also said the Division III Central District is also currently going under a realignment that will move from two sectionals of 12 teams to one site of 24 teams.
“This will present a greater challenge for qualifying guys to districts and beyond,” he said.
Regardless of the struggles, Andrews said the goal never changes for the Wildcats.
“Every year we want to be one of the best teams in our division,” he said. “This year is no exception.”
The Wildcats, however, will have to do so with a few more hurdles in front of them.