Key Contributors
The 2023-2024 season marked a year of significant growth for St. Mary Catholic Central Wrestling. Despite a challenging beginning, the team saw several standout performances that propelled them to a strong finish. Key contributors included Brianna Lynch, who led the girls’ team with a 5th place finish at the state level, and AnnMarie Gessner, who qualified for the state tournament and made a strong showing in the blood round, falling to the number 1 ranked wrestler.
On the boys' side, Kyle Bashaw had an outstanding season, finishing with a record of 42-11 and leading the team in total team points. His consistency and strong performance were a crucial factor in the team's overall success. The team had 23 wrestlers this season, with many showing grit, passion, and determination in their individual development, contributing to the team's growth.
The team finished with a record of 22-12 and qualified 5 boys and 4 girls for regionals—a huge accomplishment, especially considering the tough district competition in Division 4.
Season Overview
The season started slowly with the team at 3-7 halfway through the regular season, which was not what Coach Eby had expected. However, the team showed resilience and improved as the season progressed, finishing the regular season strong with a 9-4 second-half record. St. Mary Catholic Central made an impressive run in the postseason, qualifying multiple wrestlers for regionals and securing the regional qualifications for both boys and girls.
The team’s success is especially impressive considering how far they’ve come since 2018, when the program had only three wrestlers. This year’s progress shows the development of a competitive team capable of making waves in duals and tournaments.
Defining Moments
One of the defining moments of the season was the team’s effort and results in regional competition, where several wrestlers came close to qualifying for state. Landon Barron (150) and Phineas Totten (120) were two major contributors throughout the season. Both bumped up weight classes to help the team and were very competitive, each falling short of state qualification in the regional blood round—an intense, win-or-go-home match. Their efforts exemplified the hard-nosed mentality that the team developed this season.
Player Development
Landon Barron and Phineas Totten both played crucial roles in the team’s success this season. Barron, a sophomore, and Totten, a freshman, wrestled above their weight classes and displayed a level of tenacity that helped the team in duals and tournaments. Their development throughout the season will be exciting to watch in the coming years, as they are set to be cornerstones of the team’s future success.
Team’s Response to Challenges
Throughout the season, the team was tested by adversity, whether that be through tough matches or personal struggles. However, the team remained focused, growing stronger as they faced challenges head-on. Coach Eby noted that while the beginning of the season was a bit bumpy, the team showed they could adjust to their new roles and systems as the season went on. Their ability to bounce back after tough losses was a testament to their mental toughness and commitment to improvement.
Senior Leadership
The leadership from the senior class played a key role in the team's development this season. Kyle Bashaw, with his strong leadership and team-leading performance, was integral in keeping the team focused and motivated. AnnMarie Gessner, the girls' team leader, was also a driving force with her determination and competitive spirit. These seniors provided not only skills on the mat but also crucial mentorship for the younger wrestlers.
Looking Ahead
Looking forward, the future of St. Mary Catholic Central Wrestling is bright. With underclassmen like Landon Barron and Phineas Totten showing great promise, the team is well-positioned for continued success. Kyle Bashaw and AnnMarie Gessner are excellent examples for the younger wrestlers to follow. Additionally, there is a strong core of freshmen and sophomores who are developing their skills and will be exciting to watch in the years to come.
Offseason Focus
The team’s offseason focus will be on getting on the mats and improving in all areas. Coach Eby emphasized that the team needs to develop mentally, physically, and technically to continue progressing and setting themselves up for success in the next season.
A Season of Growth
The 2023-2024 season was one of growth for St. Mary Catholic Central Wrestling. From a slow start to a strong finish, the team showed resilience, passion, and dedication. With a mix of experienced seniors and promising underclassmen, the future looks very bright for the program. As the team continues to develop and refine its skills, we can expect to see even greater achievements in the seasons to come.
 and Phineas Totten (120) were two major contributors throughout the season. Both bumped up weight classes to help the team and were very competitive, each falling short of state qualification in the regional blood round—an intense, win-or-go-home match. Their efforts exemplified the hard-nosed mentality that the team developed this season.
Player Development
Landon Barron and Phineas Totten both played crucial roles in the team’s success this season. Barron, a sophomore, and Totten, a freshman, wrestled above their weight classes and displayed a level of tenacity that helped the team in duals and tournaments. Their development throughout the season will be exciting to watch in the coming years, as they are set to be cornerstones of the team’s future success.
Team’s Response to Challenges
Throughout the season, the team was tested by adversity, whether that be through tough matches or personal struggles. However, the team remained focused, growing stronger as they faced challenges head-on. Coach Eby noted that while the beginning of the season was a bit bumpy, the team showed they could adjust to their new roles and systems as the season went on. Their ability to bounce back after tough losses was a testament to their mental toughness and commitment to improvement.
Senior Leadership
The leadership from the senior class played a key role in the team's development this season. Kyle Bashaw, with his strong leadership and team-leading performance, was integral in keeping the team focused and motivated. AnnMarie Gessner, the girls' team leader, was also a driving force with her determination and competitive spirit. These seniors provided not only skills on the mat but also crucial mentorship for the younger wrestlers.
Looking Ahead
Looking forward, the future of St. Mary Catholic Central Wrestling is bright. With underclassmen like Landon Barron and Phineas Totten showing great promise, the team is well-positioned for continued success. Kyle Bashaw and AnnMarie Gessner are excellent examples for the younger wrestlers to follow. Additionally, there is a strong core of freshmen and sophomores who are developing their skills and will be exciting to watch in the years to come.
Offseason Focus
The team’s offseason focus will be on getting on the mats and improving in all areas. Coach Eby emphasized that the team needs to develop mentally, physically, and technically to continue progressing and setting themselves up for success in the next season.
A Season of Growth
The 2023-2024 season was one of growth for St. Mary Catholic Central Wrestling. From a slow start to a strong finish, the team showed resilience, passion, and dedication. With a mix of experienced seniors and promising underclassmen, the future looks very bright for the program. As the team continues to develop and refine its skills, we can expect to see even greater achievements in the seasons to come.
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