West Geauga, like many area wrestling teams, needed to change its mentality as part of the restrictions that have come with COVID-19, starting its season on January 14 at Beachwood nearly six weeks past the allowed start date.
West Geauga, like many area wrestling teams, needed to change its mentality as part of the restrictions that have come with COVID-19, starting its season on January 14 at Beachwood nearly six weeks past the allowed start date.
Opening night at Beachwood was a five-team quad that included a partial team from Beachwood and individuals from Warrensville Heights and Grand Valley, along with a full team from Cleveland Heights.
The goal of the night was to find as many matches as possible to offset the late start felt by all involved. Coaches are in a race against time to prepare wrestlers for conference and postseason tournaments.
Third-year head coach Ben Stehura said, “We came to wrestle. We will wrestle anybody, as long as it is safe. Our guys responded — they worked hard and they really wanted to wrestle.”
The Wolverines have been in the wrestling room for only about 10 days, and Stehura believes his team’s conditioning will continue to improve.
“They’re listening,” he said, “and we have some stuff to work on over the next two weeks.”
Stehura, who also serves as the district’s athletic director, has 17 years of collegiate coaching experience. He served for 10 years as head coach at Cleveland State before taking over at West Geauga. In two years, he has already coached 11 district qualifiers.
The Wolverines lost three district qualifiers to graduation: Josh and Tyler Moriarty, who each finished with 30 wins, plus heavyweight Lou Alesnik, who finished with 29 wins.
But the cupboard isn’t bare as the Wolverines return two district qualifiers and six wrestlers who finished in the top five during 2020 sectionals.
Junior Jack Sparent (126) returns from a district-qualifying campaign. He finished the season with a 33-12 record, and finished in third place at the CVC Tournament.
Sophomore Justin Artino moved up to 170 after qualifying for the district tournament at 160 last season, finishing with a 10-9 record.
When asked about expectations this year after a successful sophomore campaign, Sparent said, “This year for sure, my goal is to make the state tournament. I have been practicing all year round, I have been non-stop wrestling. Doesn’t matter who is in front of me, I have to be ready to go at all times — can’t take any days off.”
Stehura spoke highly of Sparent, who he called a very dedicated hard worker:
“He found ways to keep training this summer through COVID, found every opportunity to keep training,” Stehura said. “He is a guy that just started wrestling in junior high, and he has come a long way.”
The Wolverines have 22 wrestlers on the roster this season, including seven seniors. Key seniors will be Dante Mirabelli (152), Damian Gambrill (160) and James Mullally (182), all returning starters from the 2020 campaign. Other seniors looking to contribute will be Seamus Mullally (182), Robert Kaleal (120), Ethan Alvis (160) and Tyler Mack (138).
Mirabelli will serve as a team captain. Asked what the season has been like so far in the midst of COVID, he said, “We have a lot of less matches, so it’s a little harder to prepare for matches. We work hard every day in practice, and we treat our practice like the state tournament.
“We have been practicing hard, and now we get rewarded by getting to compete.”
On his leadership role, Mirabelli added, “It’s like a brotherhood. I get to lead our practices and set a good example for our team. It’s a great feeling to see your brothers win and come together like we have.”
One noticeable addition to the Wolverines starting lineup is junior heavyweight Luke Sadler. Sadler is in his second year of wrestling, but seemed to fit right in, going 4-0 at Beachwood Quad. Sadler learned last year behind Alesnik, who was a district qualifier. Sadler is also a member of the football program, and received Honorable Mention All-District honors this past season.
Stehura spoke highly of his heavyweight.
“He moves incredibly fast for heavyweight, and he works hard,” his coach said of Sadler. “He is still learning, and he is going to keep getting better.”
Sophomore Tyler Boze (106) and juniors Thomas Randau (132), Robert Sabol (145) and Nathan Myers (195) will provide a young core for Stehura to build his program around, along with Sparent and Sadler. They will also start two freshmen: Moore Gambrill (113) and Ethan Bartlett (138).
West Geauga has matches scheduled with Kirtland January 19 and Lutheran West January 21 before taking on the CVC tournament January 29 and 30 in Perry. The Wolverines finished third in the CVC tournament’s Chagrin Division last year.
Stehura is assisted by Jason Peck and Michael Carlone.
