2019-2020 Waynesburg Preview
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Team: Waynesburg University
Head Coach: Ron Headlee
Years at School as Head Coach: 11
Career Record at Current School: 115-83-1
Assistant Coaches: Gennaro Bonaventura
2018-2019 Dual Meet Record: 7-8
2019 NCAA Qualifiers: Ken Burrs (197), Jake Evans (285)
Top Returning Starters:
125 – Dylan Williams (r-So.), PAC Champion, 8th place Southeast Regionals
133 – Josh Kuslock (Jr.), PAC Champion 4th place Southeast Regionals
141 – Matt Lascola (Jr.), PAC Champion
157 – Zach Mackall (Sr.), PAC runner-up
165 – Dan Verhovsek (Sr.), PAC runner-up
Top Incoming Wrestlers:
Noah Grossnickle (133, Middletown (Md.) H.S.) Maryland state qualifier, 100-52 Record
Colby Morris (149-157, Waynesburg Central H.S.) PIAA state qualifier, 4-time section placer, 4-time WPIAL qualifier, 4-time Tri-CADA placer, TRI-CADA champion, Winners Choice Champion
Jace Guy (149-157, Southern Garrett (Md.) H.S.) 3-time state placer (5th, 4th, 3rd), 164-30 career record with 104 pins, 4-time county champion, 2-time regional finalist, part of back-to-back dual meet state championships.
Luke LaVanaway (184-197, Erie Mason (Mich.)H.S.) 2-time district placer, Grappler Fall Classic placer, 86 wins in three varsity seasons
Rocky McGeary (285, West Allegheny H.S.) 3-time conference champion, four-time section finalist, section champion, four-time WPIAL qualifier, 2018 Top Gun Champion, 110 career wins
Season Outlook:
Coming off a third-straight PAC title, the 2019-20 Waynesburg University wrestling team will have a vastly different look to it. Jake Evans, who graduated as the all-time winningest wrestler in NCAA history and was the 2018 national heavyweight champion, is gone, as is two-time national qualifier Ken Burrs (197).
The Yellow Jackets bring back plenty of starting experience in the five lower weights, including PAC champions Dylan Williams (125), Josh Kuslock (133) and Matt Lascola (141). Zach Mackall (157-165) and Dan Verhovsek (174-184) return as the senior leaders for the squad. Junior Dillion Charlton (174-184), senior Cory Supan (184-197) and senior Adam Rigney (184-197) provide fantastic depth and gives the team valuable contributors in tournament action. After dealing with injuries for most of last year, sophomore Dylan Winters is back to battle for starting time at 125 and/or 133 pounds. Speaking of wrestlers coming back from injury. Caleb Baxter had a terrific freshman season, but missed all of his sophomore campaign with an injury. He is also back and expected to be in the mix for the starting job at 174 pounds. A talented class of freshmen and transfers is expected to make an immediate impact on this year’s squad.