The Mail-Journal, Volume 22, Number 49, Milford, Kosciusko County, 4 December 1985 — Page 26

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WARRIOR GRAPPLERS — Pictured are members of the Wawasee wrestling team. In front, from left to right, are Bob Doerr, DeWayne Boger, JR Noel, Sean Jones, Tom Cotton, Chris Jordan, Tom Mangas and Jason Prescott.

Wrestlers eye excellent season

ByDAVESTRAUB Sports Editor When a statewide coaches poll selects your wrestling team as the 11th best, you would be flattered. Perhaps impressed. Not Rich Welborn. To him, preseason rankings are fine, but what is earned on the mat is more important. As for being highly regarded, Welborn figures that a lot more work has to get done before the praises roll in. Any way you look at it, Wawasee is going to have a very strong wrestling squad. There is depth from top to bottom as well as a few outstanding performers.

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Moreover, the Warriors have everyone back from last year’s 12-2 team which was runner-up to Goshen in the Northern Lakes Conference; sectional champions, strong regional finishers and sixth in the semi-state. That team also captured the East Noble Invitational and was runnerup in the Wawasee Warrior Classic. In addition, the Warriors have two premier wrestlers: Brad Traviolia (155) and Lance Lantz (167). Traviolia won 40 matches and placed third in the state. Lantz claimed 32 matches and took fifth at the state level. That’s plenty of talent and leadership to

In back are Scott Shoemaker, Jeremy Corson, Brad Traviolia, Steve Sturgill, Chris Yoder, Jeff Welborn, Lance Lantz, Don Kauffman, Jeff Dunithan, Brett Traviolia, Josh Lantz and Coach Rich Welborn.

build around. “Right now, we’re still getting ready because we’re two weeks behind,” said Welborn, knowing that many of his wrestlers just finished a successful football season as state runner-up. “But we have all of the weight classes filled and we have at least seven kids who have wrestled freestyle, which is a big advantage. Most state champs are freestylers.” Here is a look at the roster: JR Noel, junior, (96 lbs); Tom Cotton, sophomore and Sean Jones, freshman (105 lbs); Eliseo Roa, sophomore, Mitch Price and Tom Mangas (112 lbs); Jeff Dunithan, senior and DeWayne Boger, sophomore (119 lbs); Bobby Doerr, sophomore and Chris Jordan, freshman (126 lbs); Jeff Welborn, junior (132 lbs); Brett Traviolia, junior and Mike Foy, freshman (138 lbs); Chris Yoder, junior, Josh Lantz, sophomore and Jeremy Corson, junior (145 lbs); Traviolia, senior and Jason Prescott, freshman (155 lbs); Lantz, senior (167 lbs); Don Kauffman, senior (177 lbs); Scott Shoemaker, junior (185 lbs) and Steve Sturgill (heavyweight). “We’re kind of growing up right now,” said Welborn. “And we’re coming off an excellent

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year. Our experience is critical to us at this point.” Welborn also stressed that one of his goals is to get the wrestlers ready for tournaments. “You need four to six outstanding individuals to win a tourney,” be said. “I personally would like to see every one of my kids win a sectional. That’s the approach I always take and I guess that would be my big goal.” When asked of a realistic team goal, Welborn laughed and said in a conservative way, “to do the best we possibly can.” It will be tough for the Warriors. They open the season next Tuesday against Goshen, which

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is ranked 15th in the state. This will be a home meet. Other strong tests include Elkhart Memorial, East Noble Invitational and the Mishawaka Invitational. “Success often depends on your opponents,” Welborn explained. “We try to build our schedule with strong teams to get us ready for the post-season tourneys.” Presently, the coach is trying to get his talent organized. He noted that the long football season benefits the players who recently joined his squad, but points out that they need to get in wrestling condition, which is an entirely different matter from football condition.