The Mail-Journal, Volume 29, Number 40, Milford, Kosciusko County, 14 November 1990 — Page 18

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., November 14,1990

Welborn returns as Wawasee wrestling coach

By MITCHELL STINSON Sports Writer Rich Welborn is back in the saddle again. The Wawasee High School government teacher guided the Warriors wrestling team for seven seasons before handing the head coaching reins to Dave Van Lue in 1986. Now, as the team enters the 19905, Welborn has taken the challenge to lead the school wrestling program once again. With Welborn at the helm, the Warriors compiled a 55-24 dual match record from 1979 to 1986. His teams won two Northern Lakes Conference championships, four sectional championships and two regional titles.

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WARRIOR GRAPPLERS — Hoping to improve on last year’s mark of 6-8-1, this year’s edition of the Wawasee Warriors wrestling team is led by coach Rich Welborn, who has returned after a four year absence. Welborn coached the team from 1979 to 1986, winning four sectional titles and two regionals. In front, from left, are: Jeremy Brickey, Clay Rassi, Matt Stump, Brian Taylor, Brian Dutcher, Chris Requejo, Scott Wheat, Mike Atkins, and Pat Gargett. In back are: Assistant coach Scott DeHart. Ru«f«>r Clevenger,

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Welborn has spent the past two years coaching the Manchester College Spartans, who posted a 9-5 record last season. He has his work cut out for him this season, with a young group of Warriors who went 6-8-1 last year. The team lost three solid seniors to graduation (Tony Hostetter, Chad Jones and Rick Weaver), but the biggest blow to the Warriors may have come at Wawasee’s sectional football game last month. Buster Clevenger fractured his leg in that game and Jeremy Doerr suffered a broken ankle. Both seniors were standout performers on the wrestling team last year, but it doesn’t look like

they will heal in time for this season. “You feel sorry for the kids who can’t wrestle, like Doerr and Clevenger,” Welborn said. “They’re seniors and they want to wrestle. On the brighter side, it gives the other kids an opportunity.” Junior Chris Requejo highlights the list of six returning letter winners. Wrestling in the 103-pound division, he compiled a 23-8-1 record during an impressive sophomore campaign last year. And it looks like he’s ready to pick up where he left off. “He’s attained a higher skill than any of the rest of them at this point in time,” Welborn said.

David Antu, Michael Walton, Ryan Keiper, Mark Zimmerman, Tony Lund, Jason Ort, Ryan Merchant, assistant coach Jeff Welborn, and head coach Rich Welborn. Not shown, but also members of the team, are: Dan Clevenger, Pat Gargett, Jeff Roose, and Travis Springer. The team already received a blow after learning that Buster Clevenger and Jeremy Doerr, both senior lettermen, will be lost to injuries. (Photo by Mark Huffman)

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Other letter winfiers include: Brian Dutcher (119-pounds), Matt Stump (125-pounds), Dan Clevenger (140-pounds), Scott Wheat (103-pounds) and Clay Rassi (119-pounds). With only three seniors and four juniors on the team, Welborn says this is the youngest squad he’s ever coached; The Warriors will need a strong effort from their underclassmen and he has seen improvement in sophomores like Jeremy Brickey, Ryan Keiper and Tony Lund. But when it comes right down to it, coach Welborn doesn’t know what to expect from his team in the heat of battle. He said some people rise to the challenge of

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combat and some don’t. He won’t know what his wrestlers are made of until they go up against some other schools. Welborn places emphasis on conditioning, hard work and technique in his program. He says it’s a system that’s worked for him in the past and he believes in it. Now it’s a matter of getting the wrestlers to believe in it. “We’re definitely young and inexperienced,” Welborn explained. “We’ve got to change some things and mold some people. It’s going to be a challenge, there’s no doubt about it. But that’s what it’s all about.” On The Cover The five Wawasee High School athletes shown on the cover are key performers in their respective sports. Each will try to lead their team to victory during the winter sports season. Chris Requejo (top left) is the leading returnee for the Warrior wrestlers. The junior grappler compiled a 23-8-1 record last year and is poised for another fine season. Senior Matt Haab (at top right) is one of three returning senior lettermen for the Warriors’ basketball team. Haab, who will occupy one of the guard spots for the varsity squad, will try and ■help coach Gary Goshert’s team improve on its 7-15 mark of a year ago. Co-captain Aaron Dial (lower left) will be one of the key senior performers for the Wawasee boys’ swim team during the 1990-91 campaign. Dial, one of eight seniors on the team, will look to help the Warriors compete in the always tough Northern Lakes Conference. Senior Lisa Mikel (lower right) is a speedy guard for the Lady Warriors basketball team. Her quick feet allow her to lead the fast break on offense and harrass ball handlers on defense. Karen Butt (bottom) is a leading returnee from a Wawasee gymnastics team that went 13-1 last season. The 17-year old senior is solid in all four gymnastics events, but coach Tracy Sumpter is particularly impressed with her floor exercise routines. (Photos by Scott Davidson and Mitch Stinson)