West Holmes wrestling team is young but talented

West Holmes High School wrestling coach Scott Vaughn is feeling confident as his young team continues to work toward the opening competition of the 2023-24 season.

Despite having only two seniors on the team, Vaughn still likes the makeup of his group — two experienced veterans with a young but talented roster of underclassmen.

“This is a team that returns a lot of successful starters along with some new faces to the starting lineup that will be ready to contribute,” Vaughn said. “We will be led by only two seniors, Grant Miller and Grady Toye. I am excited to see what this young team accomplishes.”

Toye, a returning state qualifier, two-time Ohio Cardinal Conference placer (first in 2023) and three-year letterwinner, enters his senior campaign with a 69-50 record including 43 fall wins. Miller, a three-year letterwinner, two-time district qualifier and three-time OCC placer, sports a 67-67 record with 49 fall wins.

Throw in returning state qualifiers Hunter McCluggage (junior) and Louden Dixon (sophomore), state alternates Cole Porter (junior) and Peyton Martin (sophomore), and freshman Cohen Wilson, a junior high state placer last season, and Vaughn is looking forward to the season.

McCluggage, a two-year letterwinner, has racked up an overall 67-38 mark with 34 pins in his two years at WHHS while Dixon capped off his frosh campaign at 38-14 with 14 fall wins and a state tournament berth.

State alternates Porter and Martin just missed the final step to the state tournament after posting fifth-place finishes at last season’s district tournament. Porter ended his sophomore year 23-23 with 10 fall wins while Martin posted a 32-14 record with 16 pins.

Also back and expected to contribute are juniors AAJ Roberts and Morgan Smith while Braylen McKinney returns after a year away from the sport. Returning sophomores are Cam McCluggage (JV Wrestler of the Year last season), Dylan Sours (Ohio Athletic Committee freshman state placer, sixth), Gabe Umstead (Triway transfer), Grady Hawkins, Royce Milam and Wesley Yoder.

A large freshman contingent has moved up from junior high and brings plenty of talent. That group includes Wilson, OAC state qualifiers Jordan Gerber and Colton Leyda and OCC champion Lincoln Goans. Ian Daugherty, Wyatt Garens and first-year wrestler Cheyenne Straits complete the freshman class.

“The youth on this team is going to be inspirational,” Vaughn said. “And we should see a lot of growth from the beginning to the end of the season. The team has put in a lot of work in the offseason. More have wrestled in the offseason than we have had for a while. I think that will provide them the opportunities to succeed.”

Another highlight on Vaughn’s radar is the Knights’ second straight and sixth overall appearance in the Ohio Wrestling Coaches Association Division II State Team Duals Tournament.

“Because of the underclassmen’s success last season, we have once again qualified for the regional duals and a chance to be one of the top eight dual teams in the state,” Vaughn said. “I love the mix of strong individuals and depth in the lineup to provide for a great season.”

West Holmes will start the season at the Cambridge Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 9.