The varsity wrestling team recently announced their new coaches for the upcoming season: head coach J.T. Zapien and assistant coach Chris Mavroncles. This was a big announcement considering the team was worried they would not be able to have a season because they did not have a coach.
“I think the wrestlers will have a perfect season. They’re all in the wrestling room, every day putting in a lot of hard work. I enjoy seeing them reach their goals, and when an athlete learns something new or achieves something they thought was impossible. There is something special about the look on their face when that happens, and that goes for all the age groups I’ve coached, from youth to high school,” said Zapien.
Mavronicles comes to the program with personal experience outside the schools, and last season helping junior high students.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t wrestle in high school. Wrestling was in its early years at Paoli when I graduated. My experience with wrestling comes from the grappling I learned when I trained at BJJ. I also helped Coach JD Emerick with junior high wrestling last season. Athletic trainer Ian Bostock has been a huge help this season with helping me learn the ropes, and teaching the more advanced stuff. I also have a really good assistant coach with the newly hired junior high wrestling coach,” said Mavronicles.
This year the Rams are led by three seniors: Adam Barnhart, Devon Walton and Larry Warren. This season, Warren and junior Jonathan Shellenberger have had very good showings in the first few meets of the season.
December 1-2 held the first real test for the Rams as they traveled to Scottsburg for the Fugate Memorial. In this tournament, Shellenberger and Warren did more than just hold their own. Jonny went 7-2 in the 157 lbs. weight class, and Warren went 8-1 in the 175 lbs. weight class.
“They had a really good showing. They fought hard and showed their skills, but they both know there is a ton of work that needs to be done to improve their wrestling abilities,” said Zapien.
Although their season is just getting started, it is off to a great start. Their next meet is on Tuesday, December 12, against Salem.
