Season Preview: Optimism runs high as Wrestling preps for 2018-19 season

Staff Reports

| 2018-19 Wrestling Schedule |

ADA — The Ohio Northern wrestling program enters the 2018-19 season with high hopes under 31st-year head coach Ron Beaschler.

The Polar Bears return nine lettermen and five starters from last year's squad that posted a 9-10 dual meet record, ended 3-3 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, and was sixth of 18 teams at the NCAA Division III Central Regional held at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

ONU will look to add to its storied wrestling tradition this season, which includes compiling 45 winning seasons in the program's 53-year history and 13 Ohio Athletic Conference Regular Season titles.

With high levels of talent and experience returning tp the Polar Bear lineup, combined with a solid incoming freshman class, it is easy to see why optimism abounds in the ONU wrestling camp. "We are excited about the upcoming season," Beaschler said. "Our goal each season is to win the OAC title, and we feel that we have the talent to compete for that this year. This season we have great upperclass leadership, along with an excellent freshmen class, that we feel can help us get to the next level."

The following is a breakdown of the 2018-19 Ohio Northern wrestling team by weight class:

125 – Junior Seth Transue (Plain City/Dublin Jerome), a returning two-time regional placer (fourth in 2018, sixth in 2017), is back at 125 for the Polar Bears who will be a solid starter and look to make the jump to the NCAA Division III National Championships this year.

133 – Cameron Poulton (New Albany), an Ohio State University transfer, will be the only wrestler at 133 and will look to have a break-out first year for the Polar Bears after the program graduated four-year letterman Brad Taton last season.

141 – Another newcomer, Brandon Bartlome (Sheffield Village/Lorain), will look to give Northern some traction at 141 pounds.

149 – With returning starter Schuyler Caprella starting the season at 157 pounds, the 149-pound weight class will be open early to a new field of competitors this year. Leading the group will be two-year letterman and current junior Jeff Andrews (New Baltimore, Mich./Anchor Bay) after finishing last year strong with key wins over regional opponents. Andrews will be challenged by a trio of young guns in sophomore Jevyn Pratt (Carey), New England Championships fifth-place finisher and incoming freshman Shaun Wagner (Southington, Conn.), and freshman Ian Heiland (Beavercreek).

157 – Last year's NCAA Division III National Qualifier Gavin Nelson graduated in 2018, leaving the 157 spot open to become the Polar Bears' deepest weight class. A trio of talented wrestlers will lead the group vying for the starting spot in Nelson's absence: returning 149-pound starter Schuyler Caprella (Harrod/Allen East), who will start the year off at 157; former 149 pound starter and three-year letterman Dylan Dolph (Canton/South); and junior Brock Jones (Perrysburg), who has been previously been held out due to injury. A group of sophomores and freshmen will look to break into the lead pack, too, and take the next step this season, including sophomores Scot Laing (Benzie, Mich./Central), Rhett Roeder (Monroeville), and Tim Vlasek (Richfield/Revere) and freshmen Brody Bookless (Coshocton/River View) and Chase Haimerl (Worthington).

165 – Seth Meyer, a 2018 regional placer, has moved to the ranks of an ONU wrestling alum after last season, leaving the 165 weight class vacant for incoming freshman Jordan Hardrick (Huber Heights/Wayne), a state qualifier from Wayne High School. Hardrick will likely face challengers moving up from the overcrowded 157-pound weight class as the season proceeds.

174 – Senior Clayton Davidson (Kirtland) took fourth at last year's regional tournament. He will be the wrestler to beat at 174 as he will have his eyes on qualifying for the Division III National Championships this year. Sophomore Bret Lane (Frankfort/Adena) and two-time Ohio state qualifier and incoming freshman Connor Kwiat (Bloomville/Tiffin Calvert) will look to supplant Davidson from his starting role.

184 – After an excellent freshman campaign in which he accrued an impressive 32 wins, sophomore Cash Thompson (Lake Odessa, Mich./Lakewood) seeks to build off his 2017-18 season. He will have to make it past a tough challenger in junior Chris Mueller (Sharpsville, Pa.), who has made some big jumps in the offseason and will look to steal the starting position.

197 - The 197 weight class will feature a mix of young talent and experience. Senior Austin Windle (Ada) brings the experience to the equation as he returns a three-time letter winner. The young talent comes in the form of Michigan state runner-up Chase Gibson (Bronson, Mich.) and Ohio state qualifier Cole Mefford (Lewistown/Indian Lake), a pair of incoming freshman. Combining the experience and youth, the program is excited to see who will take the starter spot following the graduation of Evan Hickey.

285 – The Polar Bears' final weight class will see sophomore Austin Keeley (Marysville, Mich.) make his debut start in the Orange and Black as the solo heavyweight on the roster. Keeley had a solid 9-6 record last season, but was limited due to injury.

Ohio Northern is set to open the 2018-19 season with a trip to the Mount Union Invitational this Saturday, November 10 for their first tournament action of the season. The meet gets underway at 10 a.m. in Alliance.

ONU will then begin its 2018-19 dual slate with a visit from OAC foe Otterbein next Tuesday at 7 p.m., raising the curtain on a four-event home schedule this season. The Polar Bears will round out November with excursions to the Findlay Open on November 17 and to Heidelberg on November 27.

In December, Northern is scheduled to host the annual ONU Invitational on Saturday, December 1 followed by a home dual against nearby Division III opponent Manchester (Ind.). The wrestling program wraps up its pre-Christmas slate with a eastward trek to the Washington and Lee (Va.) Duals.

After the holidays, the Orange and Black will travel to the Bud Whitehall Duals, the OAC Quad Meet, and Wheaton (Ill.) Invitational in January. The new year calendar also sees ONU hosting Muskingum for the final home event of the season on Tuesday, January 15.

Ohio Northern wraps up its regular season with back-to-back trips to Berea for the Baldwin Wallace Invitational and a dual with the Yellow Jackets.

The NCAA Division III Regionals will be held on Friday and Saturday, February 22 and 23 at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana with individuals vying for a trip to the NCAA Division III Championships set for March 8 and 9 in Roanoke, Virginia.