Brandan Chletsos is proud of his performance last season when he made the PIAA Class 2A final at 132 pounds.
The Notre Dame-Green Pond senior has no shame in losing to Forest Hills’ Jackson Arrington, a two-time state champion headed to North Carolina State in the fall.
But Chletsos, a three-time state medalist, also realizes that he has one more shot at gold.
“I definitely left last year a little disappointed,” the Rutgers commit said. “Finishing second is not a bad thing, but all of us have high expectations for ourselves because of how hard we worked in the room.
“It is something that is going to drive me through [this] season. I keep reminding myself that this is my last chance to do it, so I have to put everything I have into this moment because if I don’t I’m going to regret it.”
Junior Holden Garcia, a two-time state qualifier, doesn’t want to wait any longer either to win Hershey gold. The Princeton commit is another leader in the Crusader wrestling room not taking any moment of any workout for granted.
“To work so hard only to come up short by a small margin, he said, “is a little disappointing. But it gives us something to keep working toward.”
So Chletsos does double rope climbs and Garcia goes to the whistle in every drill and live go. They are leaving no doubt that when March rolls around, they will have put themselves in the best position to achieve their lofty goals.
They, along with returning seniors Evan Maag and Adam Schweitzer are providing plenty of motivational and teaching moments for their underclassmen who watch their every move.
Notre Dame-GP again will be among the state’s elite 2A teams, thanks to a host of returning postseason medalists.
Fourth-year head coach Matt Veres is confident that the Crusaders will make the most of their opportunities in the 2021-22 season.
“I think [last year] really made them appreciate the sport,” Veres said, “especially those who are back after things didn’t go their way because of COVID. They have another shot to redeem themselves.
“It’s really tested the character of these kids. From the day last season ended, they were back in the room two weeks later training and getting ready for freestyle. The huge takeaway from last season with the mental toughness and resilience they showed.
“They know not to take anything for granted.”
The lineup
Returning PIAA Class 2A medalist Ayden Smith is back at 106. His three losses as a freshman were by a combined seven points, including a 2-0 state quarterfinal setback to eventual champion Louis Gill of Hickory.
Freshman Cooper Feltman is at 113. Senior Adam Schweitzer, a state seventh-place finisher last season, is at 120. Junior Jacob Wehr is at 126 followed by Chletsos at 132 and Bryson Vaughn at 138.
A freshman likely will occupy 145 to start the season.
Senior Evan Maag, a three-time district champion, is at 152. Garcia is at 160. Junior Garrett Tettemer, who was fourth last year at districts, will be at 170. Sophomore Joey LaPenna, a returning district champion, is at 189. Two-time district medalist Jared Blobe is at 215.
Junior Mason Ludlow and sophomore Gino Guerrisi are among the options at 285.
“We have five or six freshmen in the room,” Veres said. “They were in middle school last year. They watched [the returnees] compete at the state meet. They know when they come in the room now that the example has been set. They know what the expectations are.
“They all train to be the best,” Veres said. “They are in a good program. They believe in the system. When they have their time called, they’ll be ready. It comes from their preparation and seeing what the guys before them were doing.”
Junior transfer 285-pounder Aiden Compton, a two-time state qualifier at Pen Argyl, was ruled ineligible earlier in the fall by the District 11 committee for the regular season and postseason.
Whoever fills in the two open spots will get thrown into the fire in December with trips to the Walsh Jesuit Ironman, Beast of the East and Powerade, three of the nation’s top in-season events.
“The Ironman environment,” Veres said, “there are world team members there, the best guys in the world, the best guys in the country. It’s an environment you want to compete in.
“Guys need to see the level they have to wrestle at to be the best, and how they are going to get there. I’ll think we’ll have some guys on the podium. I think some guys will compete for titles. I’m excited, can’t wait.
“Beast and Powerade are other phenomenal opportunities.”
Notre Dame-GP’s 2021-22 schedule
(Duals at 7 p.m.)
Dec. 10-11: Walsh Jesuit Ironman in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Dec. 18-19: Beast of the East at the University of Delaware
Dec. 21: Palisades
Dec. 29-30: Powerade tournament at Canon-McMillan
Jan. 3: at Pen Argyl
Jan. 5: Bangor
Jan. 9: Blair Academy (N.J.) at Princeton University
Jan. 11: Northern Lehigh
Jan. 13: at Saucon Valley
Jan. 15-16: Escape the Rock at Council Rock South
Jan. 19: Catasauqua
Jan. 22: Bethlehem Catholic
Jan. 26: at Wilson
Jan. 28: Salisbury
Jan. 31: Colonial League tournament at Catasauqua, 5
Morning Call reporter Tom Housenick can be reached at 610-820-6651 or at thousenick@mcall.com
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