Head Coach: Clay Wenger

Players to watch: Jaxon Joy 132– Chris Earnest 157– Coen Grimm 190

Season outlook: Wadsworth Wrestling 2022-2023 The Wadsworth Wrestling program capped off a historically great 2021-2022 season by placing 4th in the OHSAA Division I State Tournament. The Grizzlies also finished in 3rd place at the 2022 Dual State Championship Tournament. Remarkably, the team had two state champions, five state placers, seven state qualifiers, and two state alternates. The 2021-2022 Grizzlies placed the following wrestlers: Jaxon Joy, 1st; Chris Earnest, 1st; Coen Grimm, 4th; Nick Humphrys, 6th; Mason Brugh, 6th; Jack Dinwiddie, 7th; and Aaron Ries, 8th. The Grizzlies also had a National Champion in the U16 Freestyle Nationals (Aaron Ries, 285lbs.), along with an All-American in the Junior Freestyle Nationals (Jaxon Joy, 7th at 132lbs.). Ultimately, the wrestling program was honored to hang another State banner in the Grizzly Den: a rare accomplishment that every student-athlete works towards. The Grizzlies are ready for the 2022-2023 season as they return six of the seven state placers along with both state alternates. The nucleus of the 2022-23 team has worked extremely hard in the off-season. Athletes and coaches have committed to following the PROCESS to be elite. Wadsworth wrestlers, as is the TRADITION, continue to embrace a winning attitude on the mat, in the classroom, and throughout our incredible community. We are very proud of our team, and we can’t wait to attack a new school year and embark on a new journey. The 2022-23 team will be led by a special group of seniors: Brenden Barlett, Maverick Blackburn, Chris Earnest, Coen Grimm, Nick Humphrys, AJ Jardine, Jake Keirn, and Louis Schaefer; a tremendous group of juniors: Jaxon Joy, Aaron Ries, and Kaden Mellon; and a spectacular group of sophomores: Jack Dinwiddie, Brody Grimm, Eli Kaufman, and Peyton Halleck. The wrestlers will be mentored by a veteran staff that takes tremendous pride in wearing the red and white: Head Coach, Clay Wenger; Assistants: Mike Wenger, Matt Hulme, and Matt Shiarla; Volunteers: Christian Baughman, Jason Joy, and Zach Steiner. Team Physicians: Dr. Nick Papas, Dr. Derek Klaus, Dr. Ryan Urchek, and Dr. Todd McMillen; Team Trainer: Dave Frisby. The future looks promising with a strong freshman team entering the halls of Wadsworth High School. The class of 2026 is a determined group with a great deal of potential. In fact, some freshmen will compete for Varsity mat time. The Grizzlies are excited to add Jake Earnest, Junior High State Runner-up; Kyle Jardine, Junior High State Placer (3rd); Kolten Mellon, Junior High State Placer (4th); and Junior High State Qualifier Blake Frantz. Over fifty enthusiastic 7th and 8th graders will comprise the Middle School team. They will be coached by head coach Kevin Williams and assistant coach John Gramuglia. Coach G, retired Wadsworth High School head coach and National Wrestling Hall of Fame member, will continue to serve as Director of Operations as well. This role will allow Coach G to impact every Grizzly, regardless of age, and to teach everyone who touches the program what makes Wadsworth Wrestling one of the most unique programs in the country. All coaches who give of their time and talents at the middle school level do a spectacular job of molding and developing young talent that feeds the high school. Wadsworth Middle School has won several tournaments over the past years, and the young wrestlers have developed a winning attitude and a strong work ethic, earning the reputation as one of the top Junior High programs in the state. Our Youth Program has over one hundred eager young Grizzlies and a strong, giving, and knowledgeable coaching nucleus. The Grizzly Alumni have returned in force with their own children and are building upon the rich legacy that is Wadsworth Wrestling. The Youth had a championship level season last year, and this coming season will undoubtedly be filled with learning, fun, discipline, and friendships. Our treasurer Holly Brugh continues her tenure, selflessly and professionally helping to organize and develop every facet of the Wadsworth Wrestling program. Wadsworth Wrestling is a family. Every coach and every student-athlete is committed to honoring tradition, to competing with unmatched effort, and to creating a legacy of an unbreakable brotherhood. The standard is excellence. The expectation is championships.