The Jamestown Community College Jayhawks wrestling team will have a number of unanswered questions as the 2012-13 season is set to begin.
First of all, there's a new head coach, Robbie Waddington, and a new assistant coach Ryan Fralik, so there will be adjustments that will need to be made.
"We'll just have to see how things go," said Waddington, who will have four sophomores and nine freshmen on his roster.
Article Photos
The Jamestown Community College wrestling team opens its season on Sunday at the Clarion Open. In front, from left, are Mike Lembiez, Nick Yachetta, Brandon Gavin, Frank Sterlace, Ryan Guynup, Tysean Wilson, Tom Davidson and Zackary McCracken. In back are head coach Robbie Waddington, volunteer assistant coach Dylan Freedman, Patrick Sause, Ryan Richter, Don Lisek, Vince Hall, Darius Bewley, Bryon McCoy, volunteer assistant coach Mike Fralik and assistant coach Ryan Fralik.
P-J photo by Jim Riggs
Last season, JCC found its way to the regional championships and three Jayhawks qualified for the NJCAA National Championships in Rochester, Minn
One of those who made it was sophomore Ryan Guynup, who is from Cadyville.
"Ryan was a Region 3 champ and went 1-2 at nationals," said Waddington. "He's a hard worker and is moving up one weight class and he has a legitimate shot at being a high All American. He's a very dedicated kid."
Also back will be Frank Sterlace from Silver Creek who will wrestle at 157.
"Frank has a lot of extra strength,"said the coach. ''He could wrestle at three different classes and be successful. He's very powerful and the most athletic kid on the team. I'm really happy he's decided to come back out and I know he's excited to be back. Just a great all-around kid."
Also coming back to JCC will be Dominick Lisek.
"I'm also happy he's returning. He just missed qualifying for nationals last season," said Waddington.
Darius Bewley is the final sophomore and will come back at 174. Bewley hails from Wakefield, N.C.
"He's very talented and very good on his feet," said his coach. ''Darius was a two-time Maryland state champion and a two time place finisher in North Carolina. He also qualified for nationals in 2010, then took a year off."
As for the freshman class, it's a mix of known quantities and a few unknowns as well.
Tom Davidson, who is from Carmel, was a Section 1 place finisher and also was a state qualifier.
''We'll start him at 133 pounds and he's eventually go down to 125," said Waddington.
Wrestling at 125 will be Zackary McCracken from Cochranton, Pa., and Tysean Wilson from Flushing.
"McCracken is a good kid and a very strong lightweight while Wilson is very athletic and I expect he will be pretty good," said Waddington.
Falconer's Nick Yachetta is familiar face to both Waddington and Fralik.
"He knows us, we've worked with him, he knows how we teach and just gets better every day,"Waddington said. He will start at 141 and I know he will do well for us."
Brandon Gavin, who comes from Bainbridge, is a "hard worker who give us good effort every day," Waddington said. Gavin will go at 157 pounds.
Waddington is excited about Mike Lembiez from Franklinville.
"He is so powerful and pound-for-pound is one of the best we have," said the coach. "He has to believe in himself and he'll be alright.
At 165 pounds, Bloomington native Patrick Sause is another wrestler that Waddington will be keeping an eye on.
"He has lot of skills" said the coach. He was the Section 9 runner up at 160 pounds while at Pine Bush High School. There are a lot of fine wrestlers from that program."
As for Byron McCoy from Dunkirk, Waddington said "He's an athletic kid that keeps improving every day. He picks up on things quickly and does them well, a very dedicated kid."
Finally, Ryan Richter from Gowanda was slated to be on the team, but a recent injury has left his status unknown. He took third place in his weight class in 2012.
The Jayhawks start the season on the road with a stop at the Clarion Open on Sunday and won't host a home meet until Jan. 16 when they take on Mercyhurst North East in a dual matchup.
Waddington is taking a positive outlook into the upcoming season.
"Coach Fralik and myself basically said 'Hey, let's have fun.' We'll see what they can pick up and from what we've seen, it looks to be okay," he said. "Things are starting to come together. I feel like there are some duals we can squeak out. We can move guys around, just have to see how things go and I believe we have 4-5 kids that can qualify for nationals this year."
JCC WRESTLING SCHEDULE
Nov. 4 - at Clarion Open, TBA
Nov. 7 - at Alfred State College, 4 p.m.
Nov. 9 - at Muskegon Open, 9 a.m.
Nov. 17-18 - at NY State Championship in Cornell, 9 a.m.
Nov. 30 - at Niagara County CC, 7 p.m.
Dec. 1 - at Niagara County CC Open, 9:30 a.m.
Dec. 15 - at Tri Meet with Seton Hill at Mercyhurst North East, 11 a.m.
Jan. 16 - Mercyhurst North East, 7 p.m.
Jan. 20 - at Mount Union Open, 9 a.m.
Jan. 23 - Alfred State College, 7 p.m.
Feb. 1 - Niagara County CC, 7 p.m.
Feb. 2 - Jamestown CC Open, 9:30 a.m.
Feb. 10 - Region 3 Tournament at Mercyhurst North East, 10 a.m.