WAYNESBORO – The Waynesboro Area Senior High School varsity wrestling team gets its 2023-24 season underway next weekend at the annual Buckskin Duals hosted by Conestoga Valley High School.
After that, it’s a combination of dual meets (including duals tourneys) and invitationals, including the annual Trojan Wars at Chambersburg High School.
David Swink enters his sixth season as head coach. Former head coach Eric Mowen is his assistant coach. Volunteer coaches are Casey Glunt, Jesse Mowen and Mike Lazich.
The home opener is Dec. 13 against Chambersburg in a non-league matchup, The next day, the Indians travel to Greencastle-Antrim for the Mid-Penn Colonial Division opener.
This year’s team features many returning wrestlers with varsity experience. The lone key departure is Garrett Lowans, a 152-pounder last season who finished 32-13.
Swink said that Waynesboro will likely have to forfeit the 107 and 114-pound bouts this season but expects the Indians to be very competitive from 127 pounds and up.
Key returners from last year’s 13-9 squad include Jayden Rooney (139), Clayton Costella (160), Titus Mong (172) and Caden Shockey (189).
“I’m looking forward to seeing Jayden wrestle this year,” Swink said of the junior. “He has worked extremely hard in the offseason. I’m really hoping we can get Jayden well into 90 wins in his junior year and a berth into states.
“Clayton had a season-ending injury the second week of January last year, or I think he was well on his way to 30-plus wins for us. He’s healthy again, and we are looking forward to a big season for him this year.
“The key to Titus’s year will be his health. He got injured right before districts last year, or he possibly could have made it to states. He is working extremely hard and is determined to make it to states his senior year.
“Caden has had a great offseason and his confidence level is awesome. He truly believes in himself. He wrestled 50-plus matches this fall in open tournaments and has set large goals for himself moving into the season.”
Swink is expecting good things from Calvin Myers (145), Steven Howard (127) and Anthony Ausherman (215).
VARSITY ROSTER
Jawaun Ballard (sr., 114)
Michael McNally (fr., 121)
Steven Howard (soph., 127)
Jayden Rooney (jr., 139)
Calvin Myers (jr., 145)
Logan Lowans (sr., 152)
Clayton Costella (sr., 160)
James Crutchfield (sr., 160)
Titus Mong (sr., 172)
Caden Shockey (sr., 189)
Anthony Ausherman (fr., 215)
Cort Myers (sr., 285)
JV ROSTER
Dave Ochoa (sr., 133)
Devin Keefer (soph., 133)
Colin Young (sr., 139)
Brett George (sr., 145)
Kenny Song (soph., 145)
Wyatt Lowans (soph., 145)
Cody McMullen (sr., 145)
Chase Mumma (soph., 152)
Tyler Rooney (fr., 152)
Camm Knox (soph., 152)
Brady Mansfield (jr., 160)
Connor Stine (jr., 189)
Josh Brocoato (sr., 285)
Korbin Foster (soph., 285)
SCHEDULE
Dec. 9, Buckskin Duals, Conestoga Valley HS, 10 a.m.
Dec. 13, Chambersburg, 7 p.m.
Dec. 14, at Greencastle-Antrim, 7 p.m.
Dec. 15, at Carlisle Classic Wrestling Tournament, 4 p.m.
Dec. 16, at Carlisle Classic Wrestling Tournament, 9 a.m.
Dec. 19, South Western, 7 p.m.
Dec. 29, Trojan Wars, Chambersburg HS, 4 p.m.
Dec. 30, Trojan Wars, Chambersburg HS, 9:30 a.m.
Jan. 4, at Big Spring, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 6, at Grizzly Duals, Elizabethtown HS, TBA
Jan. 11, James Buchanan, 7 p.m.
Jan. 13, Patriot Duals at Red Land HS, 9 a.m.
Jan. 17, Shippensburg, 7 p.m.
Jan. 20, at Denver Duals, Cocalico HS, 12:30 p.m.
Jan. 25, at West Perry, 7 p.m.
