Mustang grapplers have youthful lineup

Photo by Mike Wertman – Veteran members of the Medina varsity wrestling team include, in front, Chase Duffield, Nick Erway, Nick Doberstein and Jake Covert. In back are Charles Beach, Elizabeth Moore, Joe Velez, Brennen Callara, Mary Beth Rizzo and Kelvin Packer. Missing from the photo is Ben Howell.

Underclassmen dominate the lineup for the Medina wrestling squad which is tuning up for the season opening Maple Grove Tournament on Dec. 7.

Two defending Niagara-Orleans League champions, freshman Brennen Callara at 99 and junior Nick Erway at 120, head Medina’s veteran contingent which also includes senior Ben Howell, who placed third at 132, sophomore Charles Beach who was third at 195 and freshman Joe Velez who was third at 106.

“We’ve only got six or seven kids with varsity experience, the rest are brand new so our focus is on getting the young kids some experience,” said Coach Eric Gross of his 27 member squad.

The Mustangs roster also includes senior Mary Beth Rizzo; juniors Jacob Covert, Nick Doberstein, Alex Gomez, Jose Hernandez and Jacob Mudge; sophomores Chase Duffield and Brooklyn Moore; freshmen Austin Bellon, Michael Burch, Edgar Chavez, Ryan Kruger, Caitlyn McNeil, Austin Meachem, Kalvin Packer and Trevor Pittard; eighth graders Daron Bellon, Austin Cox, Cody Crane and Mitchell Wienke and seventh graders Hunter Kruger and Matt Saj.

The Mustangs open the N-O season at home against Wilson on Dec. 11.

Medina’s Schedule

Dec. 7 – at Maple Grove Tournament
Dec. 11 – Wilson, 6 p.m.
Dec. 14 – at Orchard Park Tournament
Dec. 18 – at Akron, 6 p.m.
Dec. 20 – Kendall, 5 p.m.
Jan. 3 and 4 – at NCCC Tournament
Jan. 8 – Barker/Roy-Hart, 6 p.m.
Jan. 10 and 11 – at Lockport Tournament
Jan. 15 – at Albion, 6 p.m.
Jan. 17 and 18 – at Hilton Tournament
Jan. 22 – Newfane, 6 p.m.
Feb. 1 – All-League Tournament at Medina, 9 a.m.
Feb. 4 – Alexander, 6 p.m.