2009-2010

FALCON FORECAST

     Once again the Graham Falcon wrestling team will take to the mats for another exciting season.  The 2009-2010 wrestling team is working hard preparing for a very demanding schedule.  This season the falcons will host Blair Academy, The pre-season number 1 ranked team in the country along with Lowell High School, the number 1 ranked team in Michigan.  They will also do battle against the top two teams in Ohio in division 1, St. Ed’s Eagles and the Wadsworth Grizzlies.

     The season kicks-off with what many consider the toughest high school tournament in the country; “The Ironman” at Walsh Jesuit High School December 11-12.

     This year’s team returns 4 state champions and 5 state placers from last years record setting squad.  The falcons will also have a long list of underclassmen that will include 2 junior high state champions and 2 junior high state placers.

103: Sophomore Ryan Taylor looks to start for the falcons at this weight.  He was behind the number 1 ranked wrestler in the country last year (Nick Brascetta) and is eager to make his run at a state title this year.  Ryan is a returning Junior High State Champion and will continue the tradition of tough lightweights that the falcons always seem to produce.

112: Three wrestlers will compete for the starting job at this weight class.  Junior David Rider will be one of those three wrestlers. Although he has limited experience, he has learned quickly and will become a tough competitor.  Sophomore Devin McKeever is a returning letterman at this weight class after competing on the black team last year.  He looks to have an impact on this weight class this year.  Freshman Connor Cassidy will also be at this weight class.  Although he will be sidelined early in the season due to an injury, he may be the one the falcons look to late in the year for experience.

119: Team captain Junior Nick Brascetta will be the starting 119 pounder for the falcons this year.  After a stellar season at 103 last year, Nick looks to do the same at the 119 weight class this season.  A returning state champion who is ranked fourth in the country among juniors in the pre-season polls, Nick will make the falcons strong at this weight class.

125/130:  Senior Sheldon Kegley will be the starting 125 pounder for the falcons this season.  After breaking into the line-up as a junior, Sheldon put together a very good season and was able to finish off last season with a seventh place finish at the state tournament. Sheldon will look to improve his performance this year as he enters his final season with the falcons.

125/130: Freshman Bo Jordan makes his debut for the falcons at this weight class. He is a returning Junior High state champion that has good skills for a freshman.  Although a freshman, expectations for this young wrestler are quite high.  Freshman Anthony Welty will also be at this weight class and will be working hard to get the varsity spot. 

135: Sophomore Felipe Martinez will be the man to fill this weight class for the falcons this season.  He is the returning 130 lb. state champion that is currently ranked #1 in the country for sophomores in this years pre-season polls.  Felipe has an explosive style and is considered one of the premiere wrestlers in the country. The falcons will look for many bonus points at this weight class during this season’s competitions.

140: Sophomore Isaac Jordan moves up a few weight classes and makes his claim at this weight class. After having a very productive freshman career for the falcons at 112 pounds last year, Isaac has his goals set for a state title this season.  A returning district champ and state placer, Isaac looks to move a couple of steps higher on the podium this year at the state tournament.

145: Team captain Junior Matt Stephens returns for the falcons at this weight class.  As a two-time state placer and a state runner-up last season, Matt looks to be one of the stronger wrestlers on the team to make a run at a state title this season. Matt is currently ranked seventh among juniors in this years pre-season polls and is prepared for a very productive year.  Sophomore Wil Meyers will add depth at this weight class and will be competing for a varsity spot. He is working hard and will continue to get better as the season progresses.

152: Freshman Robert Mannier  will be competing for the starting job at this weight class.  A very physical wrestler who finished as a junior high state placer last season, Robert looks forward to his opportunity to start for the falcons at this weight.  Freshman Ben Meyers will also be competing for the starting job at this weight class.  Also finishing last season as a junior high state placer, Ben is working hard to be the starting 152 pounder for the falcons this season.  Both of these boys will push each other and make each other better throughout the year.

160: Junior Kyle Ryan will take the starting spot at this weight class for the falcons.  With a remarkable late season run last year, Kyle was able to win a state title and helped the falcons set the record for the most state champions in a single season (7). He is currently ranked fourth in the country among juniors in the pre-season polls and looks to build on last season’s performance.

171: Sophomore Huston Evans will take over at this weight class for the falcons this season.  After completing an outstanding freshman season for the falcons and finishing as the state runner-up, Huston looks to make a legitimate run at a state title this year.  He is a powerful wrestler that has improved his offense and will help make the falcons very solid at this weight class.

189:  Team Captain Senior Max Thomusseit  will be the man for the falcons at this weight class.  He is a three time state placer after winning the state title last year at this weight class.  He is currently ranked second in the country at 189 in this years pre-season polls. One of the strongest and most explosive wrestlers on the team, Max has earned a scholarship to wrestle next year at the University of Pittsburgh.

215:  Junior Mark Meyer  has returned to the falcon nest at 215 pounds after finishing seventh at the state tournament at 135 pounds in 2008.  Mark is a brawler that is aggressive the entire duration of a match.  His style should be very productive at this weight class as the falcons look for big things out of Mark this season.  Freshman Cable Courtwright will also be competing at this weight class.  He will add depth at the upper weights for the falcons and will compete on the black team this season.

Hwt:  Senior Lucas Williams returns for the falcons at this weight class.  Lucas looks to finish his career for the falcons at heavyweight with hopes of making it on the podium this year at state.  Also competing at this weight class will be Sophomore Darin Bovey.  Darin is in the room working hard and will push Lucas for the starting spot at heavyweight.  These two wrestlers are good additions to the falcon’s upper weights.

Coach Jordan’s Comments:  “Once again we look forward to a very productive year.  As always, our goals are to be the best team in Ohio and make a run at winning a State and National championship.  I have prepared our schedule to help us achieve those goals.  Although it is a very demanding schedule, I feel like it will help to showcase the talent on our team and help prepare many of my wrestlers for the transition to college wrestling. 

     Although my team may be small in number, I still demand each of my wrestlers to perform to their highest standard and work together as a team to accomplish our goals.  My staff and I are committed to helping each of these young men become better people, not only on the mat, but also in life.