The Solanco wrestling team is expecting to build off last year's solid campaign with a more impressive showing this season. Last year, the Mules were 10-4 in dual meets and qualified for the district team tournament. No Solanco wrestlers advanced to the PIAA tournament but Dominic Flatt captured the Lancaster-Lebanon League title at 106 pounds. The Mules expect to field a full team. Solanco has 15 wrestlers in their new practice facility and 10 freshmen in the Junior High program. "I definitely think we're going to be competitive," Solanco coach Tony Mendez said. "What's nice is that right now we're able to fill out all the weight classes. As the season progresses, there can be injuries and that's scary because that can change a lot. We have a mix of individuals who will do really well at tournaments and I think we can be competitive with all of the teams in the league." 106 pounds - Dominic Flatt. Flatt (33-9 last year) is coming off an outstanding sophomore season where he won a Lancaster-Lebanon League title, was the section runner-up, and went 2-2 in the region tournament. "With Dom, we don't just talk about getting to the state tournament," Mendez said. "We talk about being on the podium." 113 pounds - Weston Bare. Bare wrestled on the Junior High team last year as a freshman. "We'll see how he makes the transition to high school," Mendez said. 120 pounds - Jared Fulton. "We have high expectations for Jared," said Mendez. "He came up with us to the Lock Haven camp and showed me a lot. This is one of the weight classes where we needed someone and he should fill in real well." 126 pounds - Jackson Houghton. As a sophomore, Houghton (23-11) was a league tournament runner-up and finished fourth in the section tournament. "Jackson was competitive at the district tournament and we look at him being a PIAA qualifier," Mendez said. 132 pounds - Joey Vandegriff. Vandegriff (23-12) is a returning starter for the Mules who finished fourth in the L-L tournament. "We have high expectations for Joey," said Mendez. "He knows it's his senior year and he's putting everything he has into having a good season. His attitude is really good." 138 pounds - Ronnie Fulton. The junior was 23-18 last year. "Ronnie had a really good showing at districts last year and has put in a lot of time working in the offseason," said Mendez. "He knows what he needs to do to be even more successful." 145 pounds - Shawn Willever or Steven Williams. The sophomores have been working hard in a competition for this spot, Mendez said. 152 pounds - Wade Adams. Adams spent his freshman season on the Junior High team. "He has spent the offseason wrestling high school guys to help him make the transition," Mendez said. 160/170 pounds - Logan Pittman. Pittman, a sophomore, wrestled on the Junior High team two years ago. "Logan is a football player and he knows wrestling and football complement each other and help him improve in both sports," Mendez said. 170 pounds - Connor Charles. Charles was 6-12 last season competing as an undersized 220-pounder. "Connor has worked hard lifting and bringing his weight down," Mendez said. 182 pounds - Robert Castagna. Castagna was 12-13 as a freshman. "Robert has a much more positive attitude. He questioned himself a little last year as a freshman wrestling on varsity, but now he's a lot more positive," said Mendez. 195 pounds - Nick Yannutz. Yannutz, a senior, was 24-12 last year before suffering an injury after the league tournament. "Nick is anxious to wrestle and have a good season," said Mendez. "If he stays the course he could be another guy who could place at the state tournament." 220 pounds - Chad Carter. Carter, a senior, is a newcomer to the wrestling program. "Chad is a good football player and a good athlete," said Mendez. "He has an awesome work ethic and is learning very quickly. I've been really impressed." Heavyweight - Nate Neuhauser. Neuhauser was 21-14 last year as a junior and one win away from the district tournament. "The Lock Haven camp made a big difference for Nate," Mendez said. "I'm excited. he's one of those kids who always has a positive attitude and is an awesome kid to coach." Comments are closed.
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