Clarion Wrestling 2014-15 Team Banquet Held At American Legion (04/01/15)

The Clarion Area Wrestling Boosters honored this past season’s wrestlers, parents and coaches with the 2014-15 Wrestling Banquet, at the American Legion, on Sunday (March 30th).

The event began with Booster President Bill Bailey greeting those in attendance. He then gave the blessing and everyone enjoyed the meal, the main course provided by Daddy’s and deserts provided by parents.

Booster President Bill Bailey

Bailey then thanked various contributors to the program. Some of those were: Jayme Dehner and Lori Hiles for taking photos for the team (which were placed around the tables, for wrestlers to collect at the end), Booster officers, Vice President Ron Rapp, Secretary Jayme Dehner and Treasurer Steve McMaster and parents and coaches.

Special mention was given to former Clarion State College (CUP) wrestler and coach Ken Nellis, who contributes many volunteer hours working with the wrestlers.

Next, Elementary Wrestling coaches Dave Smail and Dylan Reinsel introduced and gave plaques to the three Junior Wrestling State Qualifiers, Owen Reinsel, Jake Smith and Derek Smail. (Owen wasn’t present.)

Elementary State Qualifiers and Coaches: Front (L-R) Jake Smith, Derek Smail. Back (L-R) Dylan Reinsel, Dave Smail. (Missing Owen Reinsel and Dave Reinsel)

Varsity coach Rob Sintobin followed to thank many of those who have helped with the program, some of those being the coaches and volunteer coaches helping on the mat, fine tuning the wrestlers technique etc. They included: former Clarion Area State Champion Kyle Cathcart and his father Dr. Randy Cathcart, former teacher, principal and also a high school state champion (Both former CSC/CUP wrestlers); Chuck Taneyhill, junior high coach Lee Weber and his assistant Mike Dehner; he offered special thanks to Weber for running the tournaments, which are major fund raisers and for recruiting kids; Nellis and another former CSC/CUP wrestler, Tom Tomeo who runs the Club Team; and varsity assistant coach Dylan Reinsel.

Coach Sintobin described a “Culture of Wrestling” that is growing at Clarion Area thanks in large part to these men.

Junior High coach Lee Weber was next. He thanked the Boosters and coaches’ wives, the Junior High scorekeepers, Morgan Dehner, Hayley Sintobin and Jenn Ochs. He thanked coach Sintobin and some of the others mentioned above for their help with the Junior High program and mentioned that the team’s record the past three seasons has been 12-3, 11-1 and 12-1.

Junior High Wrestling Team with Coach Lee Weber (Back Left) and Assistant Coach Mike Dehner (Back Right)

Weber and Dehner then handed out awards.

Seventh grade award winners: Ryan Andreas – Team Award, Ryley Woods – Team Award, Ben Smith – Most Improved. Eighth grade award winners: Daniel Ketner – Courage, Riley Slagle – Most Improved, Justin Goodman – Brute. Ninth Grade award winners: Sterling Conner – Confidence, Seth Nellis – Leadership.

Coach Weber mentioned that his team captains come from all three schools in the program: Frankie Weber – Clarion, Bryce Klawuhn – Clarion-Limestone, Colt Stimmel – North Clarion, Login Dehner – Clarion.

Weber recognized his Junior High State Qualifiers: Seth Nellis, Colt Stimmel (8th place), Thomas Wurster and Korbin Schill.

Coach Sintobin followed. he mentioned that he had 16 varsity wrestlers and that the team had a 10-4 dual meet record and a a good showing in the District Dual Championships. Freshman Riley McMaster won the Dave Weible Award and Colton Rapp, who tied the school record for most wins by a freshman (28) was named Rookie of the Year.

Varsity Wrestlers with Coach Rob Sintobin (Back Right) and Assistant Coach Dylan Reinsel (Second Row Right)

Prince Brooks was named Most Improved Wrestler and Alex Struble won the Coaches Award.

Outstanding Wrestler for 2014-15 is Zach Sintobin (30-9, District Nine Champ, 3rd place – Northwest Regional, State Qualifier. Other District Nine place winners and Regional Qualifiers were: senior Jacob Troutman (2nd), junior Alex Struble (2nd), freshman Colton Rapp (2nd) and junior Alexander Burkhart (4th). Troutman who came back from an injury in football was given the Leadership Award.

Captains for the Varsity were Troutman, Sintobin and Struble.

Coach Sintobin  shared an inspiring talk, encouraging the team to “Reach for something that will take more than talent to achieve.” He encouraged the wrestlers to “extend their grasp.” Then Team Banner for next season was displayed by Zach Sintobin and Alex Struble.

Zach Sintobin and Alex Struble display 2015-2016 Banner

It reads:

Clarion Wrestling 2015-2016

“Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp.”

Robert Browning

The program concluded with the Boosters presenting gifts to Zach Sintobin an inscribed equipment bag, recognizing his accomplishments and to outgoing senior Jacob Troutman for his accomplishments, as well as an action photo collage by Jayme Dehner to hang in the wrestling room. Troutman will be serving in the armed forces shortly after graduation.

Booster Club Officers (L-R) President Bill Bailey, Secretary Jayme Dehner, Treasurer Steve McMaster, Vice President Ron Rapp

(Great Job Boosters!!!! Great Job Wrestlers, Coaches and Parents!!!! Best wishes Jacob!!!!)