Bill Polk begins his eleventh year as head coach at John Glenn.  Coach Polk was honored by his peers last season, being named co-Regional coach of the year for the second year in a row.  Assisting him is a staff of experienced coaches; Frank Cox (18 years), John Wood (12-plus years), Jeremy Harris (12 years), Eric Schambers (3 years), and Rece Cox (first year).

 The recognition was well-earned as last year’s squad was perhaps the strongest in school history.  The Rockets posted a 32-8 dual meet record and made their second consecutive trip to the team state tournament.  A couple points here and there against state runner-up Rockford were all that kept them from advancing to the semi-finals.  Individually, Glenn had 9 regional qualifiers and 5 made it to the state meet.  Anthony Pavlich was state champion, Dustin Gajowiak placed fourth, and Josh Austin came in fifth.

  That team was dominated by seniors, and many starters have been lost to graduation:  Steve Wakeford (112, regional qualifier), Josh Austin (5^th at119), Steve Shak (119), Anthony Pavlich (130 state champ), Mark Thompson (135, regional qualifier), Mikkel Tipton (140), Mike Johnson (145, state qualifier), Zach Redden (160, former state qualifier), Gerald Powell (215), and Dustin Gajowiak (4^th at 285).

  Anthony Pavlich is now wrestling for Ashland University, and Dustin Gajowiak and Steve Wakeford are at Olivet College.  They join Jared Stephens (Arizona State) and Andrew Hein and Eddie Manier (Olivet College) as former Rockets still wrestling in college.

  The coaching staff will have a lot of talent to work with this season. More than 50 kids have come out for the team.  Fifteen freshmen join the 27 from last year, meaning this team will be very young.  The lone returning senior starter is regional qualifier Kameron Jones.  Other returning upperclassmen with varsity experience are senior Jacob Kaledjian, and juniors Danny Croft, Reggie Timmons, and Keven Wacker.  Also attempting to win a spot on the varsity line-up is Anthony Long, a junior transfer and returning regional qualifier from Allen Park.

  The nucleus of this, and future Rocket teams seems to be an impressive sophomore class, led by state qualifier Travis Mann and regional qualifier Kyle Gillies.  Other sophomores who were quite successful at the JV level were Joey Camilleri, Quinn Dupraw, Austin Hartford, Deandre Moore, and Justin Powers.

  Varsity spots and team captains have not yet be solidified, but below is a look at what the Rocket varsity line-up may look like:

103 – Kyle Gillies (So)

112 – Quinn Dupraw (So)

119 – Austin Hartford (So)

125 – Joey Camilleri (So) or Deandre Moore (So)

130 – Jesse O’Neil (Jr) or Dylan Villenueve (Fr)

135 –Jacob Samborski (Jr) or Dylan Villenueve (Fr)

140 – Keven Wacker (Jr)

145 – Travis Mann (So)

152 – Anthony Long (Jr) or Justin Powers (So)

160 – Danny Croft (Jr)

171 – Kameron Jones (Sr)

189 – Reggie Timmons (Jr)

215 – Jacob Kaledjian (Sr), Herbert Taylor (So), or Brandon Jordan (Fr)

285 – Derrick Campbell (Sr) or Charles Crawford (Jr)

  Losing 10 starters to graduation would indicate a major rebuilding year lies ahead for most programs, but John Glenn has a lot of talent and a history of coming on strong as the season progresses.  As Coach Polk puts it, “I have, and always will, instill in the kids [that] we will challenge by the end of the year for another shot at Battle Creek.  This team will hopefully take a step back on occasion and 3 steps forward after a loss.  I am confident that they will continue our winning tradition.”