Exactly a week before the Presidents’ Athletic Conference championships, the Waynesburg University wrestling team will be competing at Baldwin Wallace in the John Summa Tournament.
Because the tournament is so close to conference championships, Waynesburg will have several people who are not competing. It’s also a time where some wrestlers will be competing in new weight classes.
“Austin Ryan will be in 125,” coach Ron Headlee said. “It will be his first time being there… Jace Guy will be wrestling at 157. We’re not sure about Colby [Morris] and Zach [Mackall.]”
Several wrestlers are not competing at the event whether it be due to injury or just the need for rest. Freshman heavyweight standout Rocky McGeary will not be wrestling, but fellow heavyweights Leo Fetterolf and Zach Baughman will be. Headlee explained the reasoning behind McGeary not wrestling.
“He’s got a lot of matches in this year,” Headley said. “We want him fresh for the end of the year.”
Even though there are several wrestlers not competing, Headlee still has things that he is looking forward to from those who will be there.
“We’re looking for them to get better in some of the positions,” Headlee said. “That’s why we’re sending them. We just think they still need a little work and confidence going into the PAC [championships]… Overall it’s just a tune up and with our lineup, we’re not looking to win high placements as a team for a tournament, but high places for a few individuals.”
There are some wrestlers who have been performing well lately that Headlee is excited to see go out there.
“Dillion [Charlton] and Dan [Verhovsek] have both been wrestling really well at 174 and 184,” Headlee said. “We’d like to see them continue to improve like they have been. Adam [Rigney] is coming back from an injury, so we’re wanting to see him get a little bit more mat time.”
The John Summa Tournament is an event where several teams compete, and. Headlee has a few schools in mind to watch out for.
“Baldwin Wallace is always strong,” Headlee said. “Maybe Wheeling Jesuit. They bring in some guys from Division II, so those will probably be the stronger two.”
Headlee explained that this event is primarily being used as a warmup going into the PAC. It’s also a time for some wrestlers to rest until the PAC championships.
“We’re just trying to get fresh for the PAC,” Headlee said. “I don’t like holding guys out at this time of the year.”
The 34th annual John Summa Tournament begins this morning at 10 a.m.