Fourth-year Tyrone head wrestling coach Quenton Wright said that everyone on his roster will have to step up this season.
Last year the Golden Eagles had a 6-4 dual-match record, but with a senior-heavy roster.
Four Tyrone wrestlers advanced to regionals last year, but with three graduating in 2024, Tyrone has some big shoes to fill.
State place-winner Branden Ewing, as well as standouts Andrew Weaver, Remington Fleck, and Richard Rawlings graduated last year.
“The seniors were a big key to success last year, it will be difficult to replace them,” junior Kyle Scott said.
Returning from last year’s squad are senior Logan Rumberger, juniors Kyle Scott and Kayden Ansman, and sophomores Andrew Detwiler, Kyler Suhoney, Caleb Whitby, and Tyler Connelly.
Freshmen Rhyse Rawlings and Mason VanAllman will wrestle varsity this year.
“We have some younger wrestlers planning to step up and fill the graduated seniors’ leadership positions,” Wright said.
Rumberger had a successful campaign last season, going 17-6 but a late-season broken wrist forced him to miss the postseason. With the wrist healed, Rumbergerer’s expectations himself are high this year.
“I’m ranked high in the district. I’m hoping to have a good and healthy season and get to 100 wins,” Rumberger said.
He also hopes to see development in the team as a whole as the year progresses.
“We lost a lot of people, but we have a lot of young good wrestlers to fill in,” Rumberger said.
With a very impressive record last season junior Kyle Scott went 41-9 making it to districts, regionals, and an eighth place finish at states.
This season Scott is also looking forward to his 100th win, a return to the state tournament, and hopefully a place on the winner’s podium.
“We’re a young team, but I still think we’re going to be competitive,” Scott said. “I would love to get back on the podium [at districts]. Once I do, I will just keep going up from there.”
Sophomore Kyler Suhoney had a very successful season last year, placing at Keystones. Suhoney is excited to wrestle at the varsity level.
“I expect to have a good season, I think the team will do good as well,” Suhoney said.
Unfortunately, the wrestling team was also hit by the injury bug in the off-season, which will impact the team’s ability to fill all the weight classes.
Juniors Parker DeStefano and Caden Harris were projected to start at 215lbs and heavyweight weight classes. However, Harris injured his right knee and will miss the season and heavyweight DeStefano will also miss the season while rehabbing a shoulder injury.
Tyrone’s first opponent will be home tonight against Hollidaysburg at 7 pm.
