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Watkins, Winekoff, Waleed and their teammates make Chiefs hard to beat

  The lone encased red singlet that hangs on the west wall of the Canton wrestling room may have some company in a few months.

  The singlet belonged to former Chief Corey Phillips, who won a Division 1 state individual title in 2007.

  Next to Phillips' singlet is a frame with the words, "Who's Next?" printed in it.

  The answer may be one of three members of Canton's current team -- or a fourth or fifth grappler who may exceed expectations and win it all.

  The odds favor Brent Winekoff, Donnie Watkins and Waleed Faraj, all seniors, all multiple state-placers at the season-ending individual meet at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

  "It's awesome having wrestlers like those guys because you can move them around in the line-up and know wherever you put them they're going to win," said Canton coach Cory Mancuso. "I don't think they lost a single meet in a dual meet last year."

  While the team doesn't have quite the numbers it has had is recent years, the athletes that are on the roster will make the Chiefs one of the most formidable teams in southeast Michigan, if not the state. They're already ranked No. 10 in one preseason poll.

  "I think we're going to be a very good team if everybody stays healthy and we don't get sick," said Mancuso. "Whether or not we reach our potential depends on our health."

  The Chiefs lost just two key players from last year's 25-11 district championship team: Carl Lucke and Jeremy Filippelli. Canton missed a chance to appear at its third Division 1 state meet in five years when they were edged by Westland John Glenn in a match that wasn't decided until the sixth criteria.

  The Chiefs are stocked with impressive captains, who choose to lead by example -- but what an example that is.

  "Both Donnie and Brent do most of their leading on the mat," said Mancuso. "Junior Anthony Abro is a leader both on and off the mat. He got the kids together a lot this past summer.

  "Waleed is very good technically. He is a very, very hard worker, too.

  Mancuso also pointed to four-year varsity senior Mitch Wolski as someone who can provide top-notch leadership skills.

  The Chiefs' light-weight line-up -- at least for the early portion of the season -- will consist of freshman Richard DeMarois at 103; sophomore Keshaw Patel at 112; sophomore Alex Eimers or Danny Filippelli's at 119; Faraj at 125; sophomore Zach Marsh at 130; and Wolski or Connor Johnson at 135.

  Sophomore 145-pounder Sean O'Keefe will be sandwiched between the team's two A-1 studs Watkins (140) and Winekoff (152).

  A pair of seniors -- Matt Western and Keith Zech -- will capably man the 160 and 171 slots, respectively.

  Abro has a stranglehold on 189 and junior Ben Poirer has the same at 215.

  Julius Maddox will serve as the Chiefs' 285-pounder.

  Canton opens its season Thursday at 5 p.m. at Eastern Michigan University. The Eagles will follow with a match at 7 p.m.

  Ed Wright can be reached at [email protected] or (734) 453-1980.