Western wrestling team in good shape for this season and beyond
By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Parma – Where the desire to compete now, in the conference and in the state tournament is, the Western wrestling team has pieces at the ready.
Where there’s a desire to build the program up for the future, well, the same can be said.
Needless to say, coach Greg Hoffman is in a good spot with his Panthers right now.
“We’ve got a nice lineup, with some young kids and some great veteran leaders,” Hoffman said Thursday night. “We’ve had a lot to deal with this year, from health and injuries and so on. But we’re doing all right.”
Western was 19-9 entering the weekend, and that comes with a lineup that features eight freshmen and sophomores.
But Hoffman refused to even consider the word “rebuild.”
“Because we came into the season with too high of expectations to look at it that way,” he explained.
And many of those expectations had to do with some key guys at the top of the totem pole.
Senior Chase Veydt placed second in the state a year ago in the 135-pound weight class, and this year has one loss, and that came to a wrestler from Ohio.
He earned his 150th career win Wednesday.
Junior Luke Raczkowksi hasn’t lost yet this year after placing second at 130 in last year’s state finals.
Senior Spencer Plate has also been dominant in the 140 and 145 classes after a solid junior year.
The Panthers 19-9 record included a 4-2 mark in the I-8, which is outside looking in in terms of the standings, but well within striking distance.
A year ago, the guys were first heading into the final conference tournament, and ended up finishing fourth.
So they, better than anyone, understand there’s plenty that can still happen.
And that’s just for this winter.
As for the years to come, with so much youth that will be in play?
“It’s a matter of keeping kids out, and if we can, we’re going to be very good,” Hoffman said. “This is a good group of freshmen, kids I think are going to stay with it. And with the leadership we have this year from our guys, guys I really lean on, hopefully the younger guys see that, grow and take over those roles.”
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’
Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.