If the name of the new Nordonia Knights head wrestling coach sounds familiar, it should. Bo Polcen is a 2007 Nordonia graduate, and has been with the wrestling program the past 8 years as an assistant coach. Polcen was named earlier this year to replace wrestling icon Graham Coghill, who will remain as an assistant coach. Along with Coghill, Louis Iacoboni, a 1988 Nordonia state wrestling champion, and former Chanel/ Nordonia assistant coach Jason Walters’, will serve on the coaching staff guiding a very inexperienced group of wrestlers. This year, the Knights will wrestle in the Suburban League National Conference, one of the best wrestling leagues in the state. It includes Brecksville/Broadview Hts, Cuyahoga Falls, Stow/Munroe Falls, Hudson, Twinsburg, Wadsworth, and North Royalton.
The Knights best wrestler should be once again be Anthony Perrine. Last year, Perrine was fifth in the state (Division 1) at 182 lbs, and returns to that weight class again. Perrine is coming off a successful football season, garnering All Ohio honors at running back. Senior heavyweight Alec Camelli, a district state qualifier last year, also has the potential to return to that status again this year. Other than those weight classes, there are many question marks. Freshman Jake Hammad will wrestle at 106 lb.class. Sophomore Jimmy Brenneman should get the opening nod at 113 lbs. Opening the season at 120lbs. should be sophomore Andrew Wyatt. Junior Tommy Masteller will open the year at the 126 lb. class. After a very successful Junior High career, Freshman Dominic Mannino will start at 132 class. No decision has been made at the 138 lb. as of press time. Freshman Justin Olszko will likely open at 145 lbs. At 152 lbs., Junior Trey Crockett had health issues hamper him last year, and hopes to rebound now that he is healthy once again. Senior Terrence Thomas, will open at 160 lbs, although this is only his second year of wrestling. The Knights 170 lb division will be manned by Sophomore John Meadows, who is trying to overcome an early season shoulder injury. Anthony Perrine, still dealing with residual football injuries, is without question the shining Knight at 182 lbs. A trip to Columbus to state finals this year wouldn’t be out of his reach. Nordonia has a slot to fill at 195 lbs. Freshman Carl Schaub will open the year at 220 lbs, with great future potential. Senior district qualifier Alec Camelli fills the heavyweight class division.
Coach Bo Polcens’s Knights are young, and might have some bumps in the road this year. The Suburban League National Conference is loaded with talent laden, experienced teams. The Knights year begins Dec. 4 and 5th the Solon Comet Classic.
