Five letterwinners return for a 2006-07 Bradford High varsity
wrestling team struggling with numbers, yet hoping to rebuild after
last year’s one-win campaign.

With a roster of just 11 wrestlers, Owls’ first-year coach Rob
Cosper will rely on a trio of senior lettermen – Tim Keane at 145
pounds, Josh Miller (125) and Ryan Mongillo (285).

“We are going to have good leadership from our returning
letterwinners, and they are providing a good example with solid
workouts in the wrestling room and by staying focused,” the rookie
coach explained.

Cosper takes over head coaching duties from Matt DeGolier who
resigned after the 2005-06 season.

Bradford also returns junior lettermen Dan McMurtrie (145) and
Cody Minich (215).

As far as wins and losses are concerned, Cosper is hoping for
improvement and an increased interest in the sport on the part of
students.

“Individually, we have some pretty good wrestlers, but
team-wise, we’re gonna struggle this year,” he pointed out. “We
have about a 50-50 mix. We’ve got experienced wrestlers, but then
we have first-year varsity wrestlers. We don’t really have numbers
or depth.”

In sports, whether it be at the high school, college or
professional level, many coaches believe in the old adage, “Success
breeds success.”

“It (the season) is going to be a process,” Cosper admitted. “If
we have kids who are successful individually on the mats, other
kids will see that and hopefully want to join the program.”

Also on the Owls 2006-07 roster are four sophomores – Craig
Gustafson at 119 pounds, Austin Reams (135), James Kan (160) and
Shawn Burkhart (160).

The varsity squad includes two freshmen – Zach Smith (119) and
Jake McMurtrie (125).

As for the reason behind the numbers crunch, Cosper simply
stated, “It’s just that wrestling is a tough sport. We’re having a
hard time keeping a consistent number of kids coming through the
program.”

Better days may lie ahead for the Owls’ varsity squad due to
increased interest in wrestling at the junior high level.

“Numbers down there (Fretz Middle School) are a little better,”
the coach explained. “They’re doing a nice job at the junior high
level to start boosting numbers up to varsity wrestling. There is a
nice corps of junior high kids coming.”

Cosper is joined in coaching duties this year by assistant coach
Pat Swanson.

“Overall, we have a good chemistry, a mix of experience and a
good working relationship with our wrestlers,” he said.

The Owls matmen traditionally open their season by traveling to
the East Liverpool Tournament just a few miles west of the Ohio
River. However, a law passed in the Ohio government has prohibited
that state’s wrestlers from beginning their seasons before Dec.
4.

“The Ohio governing body changed the starting date for high
school wrestling to Dec. 4,” Cosper noted.

Bradford instead opens its season at the Warren Tournament on
Dec. 9.

“We’re looking forward to our first competition on Dec. 9,”
Cosper said of his Owls. “We will be wrestling some pretty tough
teams at the Warren Duals. Hopefully, we will have some solid
individual performances and finish respectable among all the
teams.”