Season Preview: Wrestling enters 2016-17 season with high hopes for success

By Tim Glon

ADA — The Ohio Northern wrestling team enters the 2016-17 season with high hopes under 29th-year head coach Ron Beaschler.

The Polar Bears return 13 lettermen and nine starters from last year's squad that posted a 11-10 dual meet record, went 1-4 in the Ohio Athletic Conference and was 13th of 15 teams at the NCAA III Midwest Regionals.

ONU has posted nine consecutive winning seasons and has finished with more wins than losses in 44 of the program's 51-year history.

With high levels of talent and experience returning on the roster, combined with a solid incoming freshmen class, it is easy to see why optimism abounds in the ONU wrestling camp.

"We are excited about the upcoming season," Beaschler said. "Our goal each season is to win the OAC title and we feel that we have the talent to compete for that. This season we have great upperclass leadership along with an excellent freshmen class that we feel can help us get to the next level."

Here is a breakdown of the 2016-17 Ohio Northern wrestling team by weight class.

125

With two-year starter junior Brad Taton (Mentor/Lake Catholic) making the move to 133 this year, the 125 weight class is open for an incoming freshman to take the reins.

Competing for the starting spot will be four-time Michigan State placer Michael Higley (Edwardsburg, Mich.) and Ohio State placer Seth Transue (Plain City/Dublin).

133

Junior Brad Taton (Mentor/Lake Catholic) was the starter at 125 and is making the move to 133 this winter as returning starter sophomore Ryan Boulton (Springboro) has moved up to 141.

Taton was 13-9 last season as the starter at 125 until his season was cut short by injury prior to the post season. We are looking for a strong performance from a healthy Taton this season.

141

This will be one of the deepest weight classes for the Polar Bear wrestling team.

Returning starter at 133 sophomore Ryan Boulton (Springboro) will have plenty of competition as he makes the transition to 141.

Leading off the contingent of challengers is sophomore Kenneth Limes (Waterville/Otsego), who missed the 2015-16 season due to injury.

Looking to make their mark on the collegiate wrestling scene are some talented freshmen, Michigan State placer Jeff Andrews (New Baltimore, Mich./Anchor Bay), Michigan State placer Graham Barton (St. Clair, Mich./Richmond) and Michigan State placer Aidan Pierobon (Rochester Hills, Mich./Stoney Creek).

149

With the returning starter, sophomore Gavin Nelson (Oregon/Clay), making the move to 157, the 2014-15 starter at 149, junior Evan Morgan (Cincinnati/Elder), will look to take control after sitting out last season.

However, he will be challenged by the two-year starter from 141 pounds, sophomore Dylan Dolph (Canton/South), who will transition to 149 this season.

Also vying for the starting spot will be two promising freshmen Kansas State qualifier Zach Caraccilo (Lansing, Kan.) and Ohio State qualifier Trevor Reed (New London).

157

Returning starter at 149, sophomore Gavin Nelson (Oregon/Clay) plans to be the wrestler to beat here as the former 157 starter, sophomore Clayton Davidson (Kirtland) makes the jump to 174 this year.

Looking to supplant Nelson will be junior Dustin Funk (Saline, Mich.) and freshmen Louisiana native Kyler Barringer (Bossier City, La./Airline) and Ohio State placer Brock Jones (Perrysburg).

165

This weight will be interesting to watch as returning 174-pound NCAA Regional participant junior Max Dole (Guilford, Ind./East Central) will be making the drop to 165 this season.

Strong challengers for this starting spot will be junior Seth Meyer (Defiance) and Ohio State placer freshman Jacob Thompson (West Mansfield/Triad).

174

Senior Kyler Deeter (Covington) is the returning three-year starter at 165 and he is set to square off against the returning starter at 157 sophomore Clayton Davidson (Kirtland).

Deeter had an impressive 31-17 record last season while Clayton compiled a 26-15 record in his freshman campaign.

Don't be surprised to see one of these wrestlers make the drop to 165 looking for a starting spot later in the season.

Also thrown into the mix for mat time is senior Junior Benitez (Seattle, Wash./Sammamish) and freshman Jarrod Fair (Cardington/Cardington-Lincoln).

184

With three wrestlers competing at this weight who all were in and out of the lineup last season, 184 looks to be competitive this year.

Challenging for the startign spot will be returning Regional participant junior Alex Bair (Centerville), followed closely by junior Ian Brown (Xenia/Dayton Carroll) who was the early season starter until his season was cut short by injuries.

Right in the mix for the starting job is sophomore Austin Windle (Ada), who saw starting time last year before his season was cut short by injury.

All three of these wrestlers will be looking to take control of this weight class and are expected to do some damage on the mat this season.

197

Returning two-year starter junior Evan Hickey (Blanchester/Wilmington) is the sole Polar Bear at 197. Don't be surprised to see some competition move up from 184 looking to crack the lineup.

Evan had a solid 21-16 record as a sophomore and will look to build on his regional performance from last season.

285

With graduated seniors Kody Bellamy and Greg Biben no longer in the picture, the heavyweight class is wide open.

Sophomore Nick Hogenbirk (Hilliard/Bradley) will look to take over after sitting behind Bellamy and Biben for a season, but there are some talented young freshmen hot on his heels.

Two-time Pennsylvania AAA State qualifier Nathan Barcaskey (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) and Michigan native Kris Kristofferson (Mason, Mich.) will look to take control at 285.