Ron Ryan (right) stands with Eric Tiller while holding his sectional plaque. (Archived photo)
The 2017-2018 Wrestling Wildcats began practice on November 5 with 16 athletes signed up in Coach Ron Ryan’s 50th season as head coach. Included in this year’s roster are four wrestlers from Mt. Olive, two from Gillespie, eight from Staunton, and two from Bunker Hill.
Assisting Ryan with coaching include Don Harvill, Richard Carlile, Toby Osmoe, and Jeff Osmoe. The first meet will be held at Troy Triad on Tuesday November 20 at 6:00 p.m. against Mascoutah and Troy Triad. The first home meet will be held on Wednesday, November 28 when the Wildcats host Carlyle and Waterloo and their second on Thursday, November 29 when they host Carlinville, Rochester, and New Berlin.
This year’s roster is:
- Senior wrestlers: Bryan Parker, Joe Fisher, Tiffany Tiepleman, Mason Huber, Ryan Reid.
- Junior wrestlers: Jacob Bailey, Tyler Jones, Amber Speitel, Lilly Aljets, Haley Masinelli.
- Sophomore wrestlers: Garrett Dickerson, Evan Morris, Skyler Baker, Dray Clark.
- Freshman wrestlers: Kael Souter, Abby Rhodes .
This is the 12th year of a renewable cooperative agreement with Gillespie High School in wrestling and the 2nd year that Bunker Hill and Staunton have been included in the coop. The district also coops in cross country, boys and girls soccer, girls’ basketball, boys and girls track, and girls’ softball with Staunton as host school and boys football with Bunker Hill as host school.
Coach Ryan and the Wrestling Wildcats would like to thank the community for its support over the years. The wrestlers need and ask for the support of its fans at all home meets and at the 44th Mt. Olive Invitational on January 5, 2019. Also look forward to the open and kids’ tournament in March.