2024-25 Jay County boys wrestling preview

    Pictured are the upper weight classes, managers and coaches of the 2024-25 Jay County High School boys wrestling team. Front row from left are Alan Ortiz, A.J. Myers, Cole Carpenter, Chandler Murphy, Landon Mills-Blowers, Freddie Lingo and Caleb Sibray. Middle row are managers Opal Garrett, Aurora Michael, Trinity Glassford, Alexa Bravo, Emmarie Barton and Chloe Muhlenkamp. Back row are assistant coach Tyler Leonhard, coach Eric Myers, Brice Coy, Ramses Anaya Aparicio and assistant coach James Myers. (Photo provided)
 

Projected lineup

106 – Griffin Byrum

113 – Sylas Wenk

120 – Welder Mendez Ordonez or Hayden Richman

126 – Cooper Glassford

132 – A.J. Heskett

138 – Dylan Bolt or Miles Jones

144 – Jason Landers

150 – Jacob Robinson

157 – Hayden Ison

165 –  Cole Carpenter or Caleb Sibray

175 – Mario Ardizzone, Renaldo Ortega-Leos or Lucas Raines

190 – A.J. Myers

215 – Freddie Lingo

285 – Alan Ortiz

2023-24 season

The Patriots were once again one of the best teams in northeast Indiana, placing sixth in the semi-state meet at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne and sending a pair of seniors to the state finals. Both of them went on to earn state medals, with Tony Wood placing fourth at 138 pounds while Cody Rowles was eighth at 126. Jay County avenged a championship loss to Western from the previous year to finish third in the Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Association Class 2A team state duals, placed second behind Adams Central in both the Allen County Athletic Conference duals and tournament, and finished third in both the sectional and regional. The Patriots had nine regional qualifiers individually, with seven of those going on to the semi-state.

Coach Eric Myers says

“We have some fresh faces in our leadership positions. We’ve got a good group of upperclassmen, with some solid freshmen joining them on the team. I think we’ve got a really fun group. Practice wise, they’ve been working really hard in practice and I feel like they’re eager to learn. They’re sponges right now, so I’m excited this year.”

Fast facts

•The Patriots last won the sectional in 2022-23, the same year they won the regional, before surrendering the title to Delta last year. 

•After graduating three state competitors and two semi-state competitors, Jay County won’t automatically qualify for the team state event. It will need to perform well early in the year to get voted in. 

•After graduating seven starters, the Patriots plan to play around with some weight classes, including the 120, 138, 165 and 175, to replace them.

Top returners

Griffin Byrum

Semi-state appearance (2024)

Jacob Robinson

Semi-state appearance (2024)

Alan Ortiz

Semi-state appearance (2024)

A.J. Heskett

Regional appearance (2024)

Jason Landers

Regional appearance (2024)

Top Departures

Tony Wood

Four state appearance (2021, 2022, 2023 – seventh, 2024 – fourth)

Cameron Clark

Three state appearance (2021, 2022 – seventh, 2023)

Cody Rowles

Three state appearance (2021, 2023, 2024 – eighth)

Bryce Wenk

Three semi-state appearances (2022, 2023, 2024)

Taye Curtis

Two semi-state appearances (2021, 2022)

Matches to watch

Tuesday, Dec. 10, vs. Delta, Winchester and Yorktown

Delta won its sectional last year and has traditionally produced strong teams. This tri-match will provide Jay County an early opportunity to build a resume.

Saturday, Dec. 14, at ACAC Duals

The Allen County Athletic Conference Duals pits all of the ACAC teams against each other head-to-head to name a conference champion.

Monday, Dec. 23, in ECIC Tournament

Without automatically qualifying for the IHSWCA 2A Team State meet, the ECIC Tournament will provide the talent in a home atmosphere to help the Patriots’ odds of getting voted into the state tournament.