Golden Bears’ wrestling dynasty continues to shine

Dynasty.Almost silently, that word flutters about, as if to utter it aloud might break the stranglehold Waynedale High School has on the local wrestling scene.The word “dynasty” is one which at times can be used lightly, at the drop of a hat, describing teams which have achieved greatness over an extended period of time.The exact amount of time and the accomplishments of any team vying to wrap their name around that word varies at the whim of whoever is throwing it out there.Louis Stanley’s Waynedale wrestling program is, if not a dynasty, certainly closing ground on a very elite club knocking on the door.Last year saw the Golden Bears hammer their way to a third-place finish in the Div. III state tournament, thanks to a team effort of only five wrestlers. While the top two teams had 12 and eight representatives, respectively, the Golden Bears made the most of their five, with four of the five reaching the podium and all five winning at least one match.With that effort, Waynedale secured its third top-five finish at state over the past three seasons. That included the third-place finish in 2014, a fifth-place effort in 2013 and a state title performance in 2012. The Bears also finished fifth in 2007, which began this run of immense proportions.Stanley deflects any talk of his program being a dynasty, instead choosing to promote how proud he is of the work ethic his athletes put forth and their drive to succeed.Still, it isn’t easy to mask his pleasure of how the program has continued to become one of the elite in the state over the past several seasons.“The more we win, the more kids want to be a part of that winning tradition,” said Stanley. “That challenge is important, because nobody wants to be the guy that doesn’t win. Our goal is to get to State and make that top-10 board. We’ve got kids who understand the value of working for something great.”While the wrestlers and coaching staff continue to do the yeoman’s portion of the hard work, there is another aspect of this high school wrestling program without which, Stanley said, the success could not be possible.He noted that the incredible community support they have received has been a driving force in helping to perpetuate a winning aura around the program.Stanley said it is always easier to work hard as a wrestler and as a team, knowing that there is so much support behind them.“We are a tight group; it’s like a family here,” said Stanley of the team. “We spend a lot of time together, and just as important, these kids see the kind of support they get from the community. That is such a big key. It helps them want to stay on top of their game.”Stanley said they always try to have fun and do joke around, but when it comes time to go to work, the laughter gives way to focus and intensity.“We aren’t going to put in all this time to lose,” said Stanley. “And Waynedale kids work.”As with most successful teams, the Bears have felt the sting of loss to graduation.Gone are a pair of long-time Waynedale standouts.Bradley Wardell finished third at state last year at 138 pounds and boasted a 54-4 record. Wardell lost his opening match at state in 2014 to Evan Hansel of Newark Catholic, who promptly lost his next two matches. Wardell, however, went on a five-match win streak after that loss to secure third place.Fellow graduate Dakota Stanley ended up fifth at state in the 152-pound weight class. Stanley boasted a 53-3 mark for the year, and entered the state meet as the top seed. He won his first two matches before faltering. Their loss will be felt. No team loses talent like that and doesn’t feel the sting. However, the cupboard is fully stocked, led by a pair of returning state qualifiers.Junior Reid Stanley, who wrestled last season at 145 pounds and this year at 152, finished the season at 50-4. He won three matches at state last year, including his first two, before eventually settling into fourth place.Jack Staggs, a Golden Bear state qualifier last season, has since moved out of the area.Then there is returning state-placer Tristan Anderson, another junior who wrestled at 195 pounds last season, where he remains this year. His 48-8 record is an omen of what is certain to come this season.“My goal is to set the school pin record this year,” said Anderson.Last year’s effort was a nice introduction to state, with Anderson winning four matches on his way to fourth place.In addition, both 170-pounder Kyle Ice and 106-pounder Christian Wellman were both state alternates last year, and they have every intention of making the step up to the next level this year.That leaves some youthful Bears needing to step into the void. Early results indicate success, yet Stanley said it is a process getting the youngsters to understand the values and principles the program promotes.“We are working to get our new guys to buy in and lay it on the line every night, even in practice,” said Stanley. “It’s a work in progress and we still have plenty of work to do.”Stanley added that part of being in a program which sees so much success is having the elder statesmen on the team lead these younger wrestlers by example.“Our experienced guys are role models on the mat, and that is what you need,” said Stanley. “The young guys have to feed off of that.”All the winning has brought attention to the Bears program. Some wrestlers will see that and fold, while others will amp up their game and push that much harder to grapple with the greats.Stanley said it is all part of the challenge facing a team which over the past number of seasons has made quite a name for itself.It’s all part of, dare it be said, developing a dynasty.