Friday, December 10, 1999
Division II-III wrestling preview
Purcell Marian has talent back
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Most Division II or III coaches who graduate eight senior starters would be looking at a rebuilding season. But Purcell Marian may be an exception.
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DIVISION II-III POLL
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1. Purcell Marian (7) 108
2. Madeira (2) 82
3. Reading 70
4. Edgewood (1) 66
5. Taylor 52
6. Ross 41
7. Kings (1) 30
8. Batavia 28
8. Franklin 28
10. Wilmington 29
Others: Turpin 26, Springboro (1) 25, Hillsboro 22, Lemon Monroe 12, Bethel-Tate 9, Carlisle 7, Summit Country Day 5, McNicholas 4, Roger Bacon 3, Blanchester 3, Lockland 2, Clermont Northeastern 2, Little Miami 1, Indian Hill 1.
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“Four of the eight seniors were state qualifiers and the other four went to district,” said Purcell Marian coach Terry Meinking, whose team is the preseason No.1 in the Enquirer's Division II-III coaches poll. “We lost a bunch of wins and it will be kind of a rebuilding year.”
State qualifiers Steve Williams (heavyweight) and Chris Rogers (112 pounds) will lead a Cavalier team that also returns five district qualifiers.
The other veterans are Brandon Black, Jermaine Menefield, Lamont Dixon, Jim Lackmeyer and Darrl Chapman.
“We had 11 kids who wrestled 30 or more matches during the summer,” Meinking said. “This allows them to develop and enhance their ability. It also gives them that extra edge.”
Here's a look at the rest of the Division II-III top 10:
2. Madeira: Experience, depth and optimism is the outlook for a Mustang team that could challenge Purcell Marian for the No.1 spot in the poll.
“We have our largest squad since the 1970s,” coach Bob Kearnes said. “Our key wrestlers must spread out well and the younger group must challenge them. We're optimistic and can't wait for the season to start.”
State qualifiers Kris Kuykendall, Ryan Opichka and Shawn Burroughs will lead a team that also returns district qualifiers Sean Bryan, Kevin Longstreth and Drew Cloran.
3. Reading: The Blue Devils return eight starters and will have an experienced wrestler in 12 of the 14 weights.
State qualifiers D.J. Engel, Gary Blair and Tim Kelly head an impressive list that also includes Shannon Hammonds and Chris Harmeyer.
4. Edgewood: Although the Cougars only have one senior, coach Alan Bair is confident the combination of eight returning starters, coupled with a standout group of freshman, will be more than enough to compete.
5. Taylor: State qualifier Josh Reamers, along with district qualifiers Chris Williams, Josh Correll, Rusty Fositer and Mike Wilhelm, head a roster loaded with veterans.
Taylor has eight returning starters from last year's team that were Cincinnati Hills League champions and sectional runnerups, former assistant and now head coach Ty Robbins said.
“These kids were successful at the middle school level and should be able to take that success to the next level.”
6. Ross: Aaron Ray, a third-place finisher at the state meet last year, returns to lead a Ross team that could start as many as six seniors and six freshmen in the lower weight classes.
“With some shuffling, we should be able to field a full lineup for the first times since 1996-97,” coach Rich Dunn said.
7. Kings: The outlook is bright for the Knights with five district qualifiers (Jesse Catanzaro, Ji Liedhegner, John Velez, Jeff Williamson and Tim Sage) back.
“The work ethic of this group is one of the best we've had,” coach Joe Woodall said. “We not only have the five district qualifiers but also a core of experienced wrestlers.”
8. Batavia: The youth movement is over and the Bulldogs will have an experienced squad with six returning starters and Brandon Faubion, a move-in who wrestled for Bethel-Tate last season.
Josh McKinney, Justin Kelch, Joe Hitt, Brandon Dowers, Adam Mosbacker and T.J. Dorsey are the team's veterans.
“Many of the wrestlers are stacked in the same weight classes,” coach Steve Shinkle said. “We could have difficulty filling some weight classes.”
9. Franklin: The outlook for the Wildcats is mixed.
“We have great upperclass leadership, four returning district qualifiers and a lot of wrestlers who were involved in offseason freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling,” coach Wendel Donathan said. “But we're very young with half the team freshmen.”
10. Wilmington: Enthusiasm is abundant with 14 returning letter winners and 33 athletes involved in the program this year.
State qualifier Jed Smith, district qualifier Shane Bankard and seniors Jason MacIntyre and Joey Watson will provide leadership for coach Jeff Wiederhold.
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