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NTL WRESTLING: NEW SAYRE COACH SEES 'POTENTIAL' FOR IMPROVEMENT IN 2019-20 (2019-12-10)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
SAYRE "” With an increase in numbers, and "potential in the room," first-year Sayre coach Ralph Warner expects a much-improved Redskins team to take to the mat in 2019-20.

(Sayre opens league action tonight at Towanda, after going 1-4 at the Wyalusing Duals Saturday.)

"Our numbers are up from last year, they look pretty good," he said.

"We have 13 varsity wrestlers, and five on junior high," noted Warner. "I was hoping they would be a little better, but I'll take what we have right now."

The future looks bright, says Warner.

"Between my program (Independent Wrestling Club) and the Sayre youth program, which is run by Donnie Barrett and Aaron Raupers, the numbers in the youth ranks are vey good.

"In two years, our junior high numbers should be around 20," Warner said.

Warner was an assistant coach at Sayre for Glenn Jarvis last year, and has run the Independent Wrestling Club for 11 years. This will be his first go-round as varsity coach.

"It's definitely a little different," said Warner. "I'm use to working with kids who have been wrestling for years. Some of our kids are wrestling for the first time, and I'm glad to have them, but it's a little bit more work."

Warner's first priority as head coach is making sure his team is conditioned to wrestle six minutes.

"Conditioning has been my main focus this preseason - it's a major part of this sport.

"In a lot of our matches last year, we had a lot of kids up four or more points in the third period, and lost because they ran out of gas," he said.

"Kids are going to lose," added Warner. "We're not going to win every match we wrestle, but we're not going to lose because we're out-of-shape - that's just not going to happen."

The Redskins won't field a full line-up in 2019-20, but they will be much closer than the last several years.

"We'll be short at 106 and 220, which is pretty good considering where we've been in recent years," said Warner.

Freshman Layla Bennett will start at 113 pounds, and sophomore Cameron McCutcheon will get the nod at 120 pounds.

Sophomores Lucas Frisbie and Jaydon Gardner will wrestle off for the starting 126-pound spot, while junior Jake Burgess will man the 132-pound weight class, and sophomore Chris Naylor will start at 138 pounds.

Junior Bobby Benjamin will start at 145 pounds, and returning District qualifier sophomore Jake Bennett will start at 152 pounds.

Junior Josh Wilson will start and 160 pounds, while freshman Glen Romberger gets the nod at 170 pounds, and junior Jordan Goodrich will get the start at 182 pounds.

Junior Gavin Rucker will start at 195 pounds, and sophomore Nik Polzella will start at 285 pounds.

"There's a lot of potential in this room," said Warner. "It's just going to take a lot of work, and a lot of heart.

"We're pretty young," he noted. "We have four juniors, four sophomores, and the rest are freshmen.

"If they put the work in, and put in some work in the offseason, I think they'll make some noise in the next couple years," Warner added.

Warner believes he has several wrestlers who could advance in the postseason.

"If Jake Bennett puts the work in, he can go far," said Warner. "From last year to this year, I think he's finally found it in himself. He's been working very hard.

"I have high hopes for him. He could go deep into the postseason.

"Jordan Goodrich is another one who works hard," noted Warner. "I think he could make a nice run in the postseason.

"I think Josh Wilson and Bobby Benjamin also have a good shot of getting to Districts," he added.

Warner also believes he has a couple of wrestlers who could surprise people this season.

"Layla Bennett is going to surprise some people if we can get her down to her certified weight at 113. She is probably the hardest worker in our room.

"I think Bobby Benjamin is another one who could open some eyes this season," he added.

Warner has set reasonable expectations for 2019-20.

"Since it's my first year, my expectations are high. I like to set high goals.

"I'd like to put four or five through into Districts.

"With our numbers, and only being short two weight classes, I think we have a shot to winning some dual matches," he said.

"We only won one match last year. With our schedule, I really believe we could be close to .500," added Warner. "We're not going to go out and win an NTL title, but my goal is to have more wins than losses."

"”"”"”"”"”"”

IN PHOTO: Sayre's Jake Bennett in action at Districts last year.

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