Head Coach Dave Chiola is flanked by assistants Josh Billiau (left) and Nick Turco. (Charles Rothwell photo)

2010-11 Wrestling Preview:
Livonia Franklin Patriots

  Last season was an amazingly good one, given that the Patriots returned only two starters from the previous year’s squad.  What appeared to be a major rebuilding year ended up yielding a team that accomplished just as much as in years past.  At the Observerland tournament Franklin finished third with 170 points.  The Patriots won their fifth consecutive City Championship, were team district champions, and finished the year with a 19-11 record.  Individually, Franklin had 7 regional qualifiers, 2 state qualifiers, and 1 all-state wrestler.

  This upcoming season portends to be an exceptional one.  Only two starters from last season graduated, Erik Czech (125) and Nick Simmons (189).  However, two other starters, Ryan Derry (130, regional qualifier) and Zach Leuenberger (160), moved out of state.

  Returning varsity wrestlers are Jack Newa, Dan Martinez (regional qualifier at 103), Gabe Martinez (regional qualifier at 112), Steve Tuyo (6^th in the state at 112), Brian Nisun, Jordan McGuire (regional qualifier at 130), Avery Opperman (regional qualifier at 140), Josh Hatfield, Allen Steele, Matt Roos (state qualifier at 152), Alex O’Connor, Ryan Simmons, and Omar Haymour.  Joining them will be some key freshmen, Jordan Atienza, Anthony Berrelez, Caleb Finamore, and Mike Gorman.  Atienza and Finamore have extensive wrestling experience through the Canton Wrestling Club.  Senior Andrew Ingold also hopes to break into the starting line-up.

  Dave Chiola has returned for his 11^th season as head coach.  Assisting him will be Jarrett Bambery (1^st year), Josh Billiau (3^rd year), Dennis Tullio (5^th year), and Nick Turco (6^th year).  Team captains are seniors Josh Hatfield and Steve Tuyo, and junior Gabe Martinez.

  Coach Chiola had this to say about his line-up; “it looks like we’ll be strong in the middle and will need some kids to step up in the lighter and heavier weights.”  Although not officially set, here is my best guess as to what the Patriot line-up may look like:

103 – Jack Newa (So)

112 – Dan Martinez (So)

119 – Brian Nisun (Jr)

125 – Gabe Martinez (Jr)

130 – Jordan Atienza (Fr)

135 – Steve Tuyo (Sr)

140 – Jordan McGuire (Jr)

145 – Avery Opperman (Jr)

152 – Josh Hatfield (Sr)

160 – Alex O’Connor (Sr) or Allen Steele (So)

171 – Matt Roos (Sr)

189 – Ryan Simmons (Jr)

215 – Andrew Ingold (Sr)

285 – Omar Haymour (Jr)

  The Franklin wrestlers sense this could be a special season and have put in a lot of mat time over the summer to improve.  Says Coach Chiola; “Our goal is be competitive at all of our meets and tournaments this year.  We’re looking forward to a better showing at the KLAA and a strong showing at the Wayne County tournament.  We’d like to place more at the state meet than any previous Franklin team.”

Livonia Franklin wrestlers warm up before a recent practice. (Charles Rothwell photo)