IAC WRESTLING: WAVERLY'S WITMAN EXCITED BY 'GREAT' NUMBERS HEADING INTO 2022-23 CAMPAIGN (14 PHOTOS) (2022-11-30)
By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports ReportCHEMUNG — Waverly wrestling coach Devan Witman smiled as he surveyed the gymnasium here at the Chemung Elementary School, which was crowded with more than 35 wrestlers — 28 boys and nine girls — Wednesday afternoon as the Wolverines prepare for the opening of the 2022-23 campaign Friday.
“Our numbers are great,” said Witman. who had just five wrestlers on the team at the end of the 2016-17 season.
“We had more than 30 sign up, and we’re going to certify 27 or 28, which is solid,” noted Witman. “These are definitely the best numbers we’ve seen in my 10-plus years here.
“It’s a tremendous testament to the work my past wrestlers and coaches have put in,” Witman added.
Witman noted the Lady Wolverines have as many as 11 at practice some days.
“We have a solid eight or nine girls who are committed and here every day working hard.
“They know they’re part of something special here because they’re pioneers for Waverly girls wrestling,” said Witman. “They’re going to be in the forefront of women’s wrestling across the state.”
Waverly has six seniors, and two juniors on its roster, which means there are 20 that are sophomores or younger.
“We have a very good mix of veteran leadership and young guys coming up in the room this year,” said Witman.
“Coach (Aronstam) and I were worried about what was going to happen after we lose this senior class — Ty Beeman, Gage Tedesco, Connor Stotler, Braeden Hills, and Landon McCarty, that’s a lot of points in our line-up that we’re going to lose,” noted Witman, “But, we have a lot of under classmen and junior high guys coming in who are looking to take the next step to fill the gaps when those seniors leave.”
The Wolverines also have a pair of transfers who could make an impact this year.
“Matthias (Welles) coming in (from Athens) as an 8th-grader is a tremendous boost for us, we’ll have him for the next five years,” said Witman.
“And, Drayton DeKay is a 7th-grader coming in from Sayre … he’s wrestled anywhere and everywhere and brings a wealth of experience with him,” noted Witman. “We’ll have him for the next six years.
“I’m looking forward to see what both of them will do,” added Witman.
With what he (and New York Wrestling News, which has the Wolverines third in Section IV, and 22nd in the State) believes will be one of the best teams in Section IV, Witman has beefed up his schedule.
The Wolverines will open at the Stephens Classic in Horseheads this weekend, then will wrestle at the Jarvis Tournament in Athens (Dec. 10), the Windsor Christmas Tournament (Dec. 28-29) , the Rotary Tournament in Oneonta (Jan. 6-7), and the Southern Tier Memorial (Jan. 13-14) throughout the remainder of the season.
“We definitely put together a tough schedule with the confidence we have in these guys.
“The Stephens Classic is no joke this weekend,” said Witman. “Next weekend, we’re at the Jarvis Tournament in Athens, which is a grind. It’s five matches against not only New York wrestlers, but very tough Pa. competition.
“Then, Windsor is one of the toughest tournaments in the state, and the Rotary Tournament is a two-day grind.
“The Southern Tier Memorial continues to grow,” added Witman, who is the tournament director of the Southern Tier Memorial, set for Jan. 13-14 at the First Arena in Elmira. “We’re at 27 teams … it’s going to be a very tough tournament.”
——————
IN PHOTO 1: Waverly coach Devan Witman. … PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
