New Coach Hopes to Bring Stockbridge Wrestling Back to Glory Days

It has been a long time since the Stockbridge wrestling program has had a strong team, let alone being able to fill a full squad, but new wrestling coach Jacob Adams is hoping to turn things around for the Panthers this season.

The Panthers have struggled to fill weight classes in recent seasons, but the Panthers return a good core of wrestlers this season and hope to bring some excitement to the mat for the first time since Kael Bunce finished state runner-up in 2020 for Stockbridge.

Adams is from Stockbridge and he has a lot of memories of the glory days of Stockbridge wrestling. “I recall from a young age the wrestling atmosphere and community here always thriving with packed gyms and excitement!,” Adams said. “I’d like to bring that back and thus in hopes see people at any upcoming events we may have!”

Key returnees for the Panthers include senior captain Remington Samek.

The Conant brothers, Chris and Jayson both return after each came up just one match short of qualifying for regionals last season.

Junior Spencer Steinkraus and sophomore Evan Arbenowske also return to the mat and will be keys to leading the younger first year wrestlers for the Panthers.

“Despite the fewer numbers of our team, we mean to maximize our season schedule and obtain as many matches as feasible, for all our wrestlers,” Adams said. 

The Panthers have some fresh faces on the mat to join the five returning wrestlers.

Freshmen Camron Stratton, Marcus Pikur, Jason Porzio, and Alex Mugg, and Junio Mateo Ortiz-Martinez are expected to make  their mark for the Panthers this season and help Stockbridge to try to fill out the weight classes for their matches.

“We don’t necessarily have any expectations as to wins/ losses, both individually and as a team, but we do wrestle with the intention to win every match as it is legitimately doable,” said Adams. “Fortunately, all our wrestlers have some sort of grappling familiarity, so even our newcomers have a taste of the sport.”

“As coaches, I like to say we’re of the “old Stockbridge” and recognize what wrestling once was/ what it ought to be; we intend to restore the town’s spirit and fervor for the sport like it once was, and then some. We encourage and call on all of Stockbridge – new and old – to come out to our meets even if you have no direct ties!”