Warriors
look for daily improvement
BY CHARLES ROTHWELL
Nov. 29, 2009,
6:30 p.m.
Joe Schmidt begins his first year as head coach of the Warriors
after 15 years as an assistant at Lutheran Westland. Assisting
him will be Danny Haller, a three-time state qualifier for the
Warriors, finishing as high as third in the state his senior year.
Haller is starting his sixth season as an assistant coach. The
Warriors went 16-13 last year, were team district champions, and
finished second in the Metro Conference. The Metro Conference no longer
exists, so Lutheran Westland will be an independent this season.
The Warriors will be without one of their all-time
strongest wrestlers. Stephen Kemp (160) graduated as a four-time state
qualifier and three-time medalist. Kemp will continue wrestling,
however, joining his older brother Neal at Lindenwood College in
Missouri.
Also graduating were Brad LaRose (119), Breck Crandell (135),
Drew Maynard (145), and Bob Schwartz (160). The current economic
climate has also hit this tiny private school hard, causing
underclassmen attrition from last year's squad. So far 14 of the
approximately 80 boys in the school have come out for wrestling.
Leading this year's team will be senior captains Laith Francis,
Craig Kowalsky, Justin Palka and Sean Rowe. Lutheran Westland has not
had the good fortune of receiving stud transfers or incoming freshmen
with multiple years of competitive experience, but they do boast three
freshmen who show great enthusiasm and promise.
Alex Reardon, Jacob Richter and Adam Seta have been working hard
and attending open rooms to garner as much experience as possible prior
to the start of the season. Coach Schmidt and Athletic Director Michael
Unger continue to scour the halls, looking for additional wrestlers to
fill holes and add depth. Below is an early look at the Warrior line-up:
103 pounds - Adam Seta, freshman;
112 - ?
119 - Jacob Richter, freshman;
125 - Laith Francis, senior (regional qualifier);
130 - Justin Palka, senior;
135 - Stewart Tarp, sophomore;
140 - Sean Rowe, senior;
145 - Matt Sankey, sophomore;
152 - Glen Oppenlander, junior;
160 - Philip Welte, sophomore;
171 - ?
189 - Craig Kowalsky, senior;
215 - Alex Reardon, freshman;
285 - ?
The ongoing theme for Warrior wrestling is to improve every day.
Goals for the upcoming season are to be team district champions and
send at least four wrestlers to the Palace. If everything breaks right
for the Warriors this year, they could surprise some of the bigger
schools at Observerland.
