Chagrin Falls’ wrestling team enters the 2020-2021 season several weeks later than normal and without a few of its returning wrestlers, but third-year head coach Peter Cimoroni is confident he has a solid group of wrestlers eager to prepare for the postseason.
“Season-ending injuries have cost us two starters and COVID another three starters and two others moved into a new district,” Cimoroni said. “Our core, however, is strong. We have to keep working and building from within. We have a great young group with excellent senior leadership. We are outstanding in the middle of the lineup and up to 195. We need to pin at those weights.”
The Tigers’ lineup includes four freshmen, two sophomores, three juniors and three seniors.
Freshmen Hunter Blair, Harrison Fritz and Addison Kohn are projected to wrestle at 106, 113, and 120, respectively.
(Blair is hard-working and has raw talent,” Cimoroni said. “Fritz has a great family pedigree and he is a heady wrestler. Kohn is a hard worker and eager to learn.”
Junior Ronan Fritz will wrestle 126 this season after finishing 15-14 last season with five pins. He was a district qualifier as a freshman.
“He put in the work during the summer and it is starting to show and will bring us strong lightweight leadership,” Cimoroni said.
Sophomores Michael Moissis and Luke Yopko are projected at 132 and 138.
Moissis was 1-5 last season while Yopko won three matches.
“Michael really is starting to pick up the sport and should be vastly improved this year,” Cimoroni said. “Luke is steadily improving and will be a solid addition to our middleweights.”
Senior Sam Suder and junior Sam Partain provide a solid one-two punch at 145 and 152.
Suder was 3-3 last season while Partain was 20-7 with 12 pins. He finished second at the sectional tournament.
“Suder is a first-year strong starter that has been one of those that has really improved and should win in the double-digits this year,” Cimoroni said. “Partain is the hardest worker on the team and has put in an enormous amount of work during the summer and will look to be a force at this weight in the state.”
Freshman Dylan Babic will wrestle 160 while junior Cam Macik is projected at 170.
“Dylan is a hard worker,” Cimoroni said. “Cam has shown improvement and will be a winner this year.”
Seniors Holden Woofter and Owen McClintock provide the Tigers with experience and talent at the upper weights.
Woofter will wrestle 182 after finishing 13-19 last season and McClintock will wrestle 195. He finished 15-10 with nine pins last year. McClintock is a two-time district qualifier.
“Holden made vast improvement last year and we see the same this year. He will make some noise at this weight,” Cimoroni said. “Owen provides great senior leadership and looks ready at 195. If he continues to improve, he will make some noise at the Alliance District.”
