Aurora wrestlers expectations remain high as season gets underway

Back and better than ever, the Aurora Greenmen wrestling team has started off their season with great success. The Greenmen are faced with tough opponents, immense success and undeniable expectations for the 2018-2019 season. However, the team does not fail to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Aurora wrestling has started off like many expected, having immense success with the lineup currently in place. The team was first on display while hosting the Paulie McGhee Duals, in which the Greenmen swept the mat. The Greenmen went 5-0 on the day. Winning 63-10 over Padua, 45-24 over Fremont-Ross, 64-12 Over Madison A, 75-0 over Bedford, and finally 76-3 over Madison’s B team.

Such success is no surprise to coach John Papesh, “We have the strongest lineup we have had since the state championship team in 1995. We are lead by one of the best senior classes in school history (Five wrestlers with state experience and 4 are All-Ohio). We have the number 1 ranked incoming freshman class in Ohio lead by 4 Junior High State Champs. Also, the team is ranked 2nd in the state.”

Needless to say, to be the best you must wrestle the best. The Aurora grapplers were put to the test at the Walsh Jesuit Ironman. The Ironman tournament is the toughest in-season wrestling tournament in the nation. The 2018 tournament was a record setting year in terms of team quality and individual talent. Among the 520 athletes, roughly 30 percent of them are nationally ranked and just under half of the InterMat Fab 50 nationally ranked teams were among the 90-team pool with full or partial entries in the event. Aurora had ten individuals wrestle in the tournament. Five seniors, one sophomore, one junior, and three freshmen.

“Ironman went well for the team. Placing 25th out of 90 teams was a great achievement for us, especially since we placed in front of St. Paris Graham. Also, many individuals proved they could compete with the best kids in the country,” stated senior Colin McNamara.

The 2018-2019 Aurora Greenmen are currently ranked second in the state, trailing only perennial powerhouse St. Parish Graham. St. Parish Graham has won states every year since 2001 while winning each title by over 100 points. This year, Aurora only trails them by 11 points in the state rankings. Luckily for the Greenmen, Graham has graduated a large portion of their talent while Aurora has only gotten stronger.

Senior Andy Garr stresses, “We will definitely push Graham for a state title, and I think if we keep improving we can win it all.”

As for the league, Aurora has the goal of becoming Suburban League champions for the fourth straight year. The Barberton, Tallmadge trimeet was a great leap in the right direction for achieving their goal. The Greenmen went 2-0 winning 58-10 and 69-0.

Freshman Dylan Fishback emphasizes, “I strongly believe we will be able to pull out another conference title this year along with many more memorable successes.”

All in all with the hard work and determination of this years Aurora Greenmen, nothing but themselves stand in the way of making history. I suggest you continue to pay attention to this group of wrestlers because it sure looks like it is going to be a season to remember.