11 Return On Archbold Wrestling Team

Eleven letterwinners return for the 2007-08 Archbold wrestling season. Front row, from left: Matt Jacoby, Tyler Short, Jordan Gracia, Michael Britenriker, Christian Beck, Ian Redd. Second row: Chad Rufenacht, Shem Neuenschwander, Jacob Badenhop, Jared Leininger, Trevor Meyer.- photo by Mary Huber

Brian Becher has spent the last five years at the helm of the Archbold wrestling program. For the first time in nine years, the Blue Streak mentor has no returning state qualifiers.

The Streaks posted a 40-8 record last year and a 7-1 mark in the Northwest Ohio Athletic League.

Part of last year's success was the experience of two state qualifiers, Austin Bernath and Wade Knipp, and one district qualifier, Kraig Bostelman, all of whom were lost to graduation.

On the flip side, the Streaks return a large senior class. Of the 11 returning letterwinners, six are seniors.

Matt Jacoby, 103 pounds; Ian Redd, 130, district qualifier; Tyler Short, 152, district qualifier; Christian Beck, 171; Mickey Britenriker, 189, district qualifier; and Jordan Gracia, 285, return as senior leaders.

Rounding out the returning letterwinners are juniors Trevor Meyer, 140; Chad Rufenacht, 145; Jared Leininger, 160; and sophomores Shem Neuenschwander, 160, and Jacob Badenhop, 215.

"Besides no returning state qualifiers, we have only three returning district qualifiers," said Becher.

"I am not sure we will be able to fill all the lower weight classes. With a lack of wrestlers with postseason experience, we are going into the season not knowing what to expect."

Becher looks for Delta to win the Northwest Ohio Athletic League title this year.

"Delta has a fantastic group of seniors," he said. "The bigger the tournament, the more Delta will separate themselves from the rest of the league.

"Liberty Center has a good group of returning wrestlers that performed very well at the right time of the season last year.

"I expect some wrestlers from Patrick Henry to do very well in the post-season, but may lack depth for dual meets."

Assisting Becher in coaching are Mario Gomez, Kevin Bostelman, and Luke Stuckey.

The Streaks open their season, Saturday, Dec. 8 at the Findlay Invitational.

Their first home meet is Thursday, Jan. 17 when they host PH.