Holley/Kendall matmen prep for debut season

Photo By Mike Wertman – Coach John Grillo meets here with veteran Holley and Kendall wrestlers who will anchor the newly merged squad. In front are Jeremy Browe, Nate Schoonmaker, Coach Grillo, Tristyn Moyer and Branden Gardner. In back are Braxton Leary-Hart, Erik Balys, Zach Day, Dalton Moyer, Dawson Cutter, Brandon Stewart and Dylan Spellan.

The area high school wrestling scene will take on a bit of a new look this season with the merger of the Holley and Kendall mat squads.

Low participation numbers at Kendall, which saw the two districts merge for varsity baseball last spring, has again prompted this merger into the new Holley/Kendall wrestling team.

“I’m estatic. It’ really benefits both schools,” said long-time Holley Coach John Grillo who is guiding the newly merged squad. “I feel like I’m back to being a first year coach, like being a new coach in a new program. It brings new life to me and to the program.”

Anchoring the lineup will be Holley veterans including seniors Zach Day and Braxton Leary-Hart, junior Brandon Gardner sophomores Eric Balys, Eli Stanton and Dalton Moyer and freshmen Nate Schoonmaker along with Kendall veterans including seniors Dylan Spellan and Brandon Stewart, junior Jeremy Browe and freshmen Dawson Cutter and Tristyn Moyer.

“We’re working hard to blend them together as one,” said Grillo, “We’re really starting as a new program.”

The Holley/Kendall squad will debut by hosting their own team tournament at Holley on December 3.

Interestingly  this merger, along with Attica’s joining with Batavia,  leaves the Genesee Region League with only four wrestling schools – Holley/Kendall, Lyndonville, Byron-Bergen and Alexander.

Holley/Kendall’s Schedule
Dec. 3 – Holley/Kendall Team Tournament, 10 a.m.
Dec. 8 – Brighton, 6 p.m.
Dec. 10 – at Springville Duals, 9 a.m.
Dec. 13 – at Alexander, 6 p.m.
Dec. 17 – at South Seneca Duals, 9 a.m.
Dec. 20 – at Akron 6 p.m.
Dec. 23 – Churchville-Chili, 6 p.m.
Dec. 28 – Holley/Kendall Varsity Duals, 10 a.m.
Jan. 5 – Lyndonville, 6 p.m.
Jan. 10 – at Byron-Bergen, 6 p.m.
Jan. 12 – McQuaid, 6 p.m.
Jan. 14 – at Eastridge Duals, 9 a.m.
Jan. 19 – Gates-Chili, 6 p.m.
Jan. 21 – at Caledonia-Mumford, Duals, 9 a.m.
Jan. 28 – at Avoca Tournament, 9 a.m.
Jan. 31 – Brighton and Wilson Magnet Tri-meet, 5:30 p.m.