TOP-HEAVY WOLVERINES HAVE MIX OF EXPERIENCE, YOUTH
By: Tim Birney | WaverlyAthletics.com | February 16, 2021 | Photo courtesy Tim Birney
WAVERLY — Waverly wrestling coach Devan Witman just can’t catch a break.
The
Wolverines have better numbers this season than they’ve had in several
years, but will still have several vacant spots in their line-up.
“We have 15 wrestlers for 13 weight classes, but there are still a lot of holes,” said Witman.
“We’re pretty top heavy,” he added. “We’re about four-deep at 189 pounds, which is unfortunate.”
The reduction in the number of classes in the upper weight doesn’t do Witman any favors this year.
“Any
other year it would have helped us out,” he said. “Last year, were
missing 195 and 215 … we had Gage (Tedesco) at 182, and the next guy was
Trent Skeens (at 285).
“Now, my whole group is growing together, and not separating as I had hoped,” noted Witman.
“It
is what it is though, we’re not necessarily looking at team scores this
year,” added Witman. “We’re looking at matches and high-quality
wrestling.”
Waverly has several seasoned wrestlers returning, but
also has several wrestlers who haven’t seen much, if any, varsity mat
time.
“This team isn’t necessarily young, but it is inexperienced to say the least,” said Witman.
“We
have our two Section IV place-winners from last year back in Conner
Stotler and Gage Tedesco,” he said. “We’re looking for big things from
them even with our shortened schedule. They have both been leaders in
the room in the early-going.
“Another leader we have in the room is Trevor Meyers. He’s looking to put together the best season he can for his senior year.
“Andrew
Kimble has put on some mass,” noted Witman. “He’s a lot taller and a
lot thicker. He’s a junior, and he’s been doing the right things in the
room … he goes hard all the time, and has really stepped it up.
“And, Kam Peters is out working hard every day,” added Witman. “He’s looking good.”
Witman also has a couple of newcomer he’s high on this season.
“One
of our biggest pick-ups this year is going to be Ty Beeman,” said
Witman. “He came to Waverly last year, but he didn’t wrestle.
“Looking
at him this year, I wish I had him five years ago because he’s going to
turn some heads out there this year,” he added. “He’s a strong,
physical sophomore … he’s going to give some of the guys he comes up
against fits, especially if they don’t know him.”
“Derek Thorp
has been wrestling since he was very little,” noted Witman. “He has a
lot of PeeWee matches under his belt, and he wrestled modified last
year.
“Landon McCarty also wrestled a lot of PeeWee matches, but hasn’t wrestled in a few years,” added Witman.
Witman
expects to have 8th-grader Derek Thorp at 108 pounds, sophomore Landon
McCarty at 118 pounds, sophomore Connor Stotler at 132 pounds, junior
Derek Bartlett at 138 pounds, freshman Braeden Nichols at 145 pounds,
junior Andrew Kimble at 172 pounds, sophomore Gage Tedesco or senior
Trevor Meyers at 189 pounds, sophomore Ty Beeman at 215 pounds, and
senior Kam Peters at 285 pounds.
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IN PHOTO: Waverly's Gage Tedesco.
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2021 SCHEDULE
Feb. 17 … at TIOGA, 6 p.m.
Feb. 20 … at O-M / WATKINS GLEN, 10 a.m.
Feb. 24 … at HORSEHEADS, 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 26 … vs. NEWARK VALLEY, 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 27 … vs. CORNING, 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 27 … vs. SVEC, 7:30 p.m.
March 3 … vs. EDISON, 5:30 p.m.
March 6 … vs. ELMIRA
March 6 … at OWEGO, 8 p.m.
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