The McIntosh Chiefs Wrestling Team has hit the mats in preparation for another exciting season. The squad returns 12 lettermen that are very focused on improving on last year’s winning season. The returning lettermen are seniors Matt Penn, Scott Ritter, Alex Shoemaker and Alan Sarvis, juniors Landis Ford and Brett Buehler and sophomores Norm Brooks, Matt Carroll, Richard Hughes, Carl Scheumann, Jonathan Smith, Jessy Toscano, and Erik Willanzheimer.

Although they lost several strong wrestlers and outstanding leaders from last year’s team to graduation there are a group of seasoned returning seniors who are leading the Chiefs during their work-outs.

Coach Nick Bellantoni has the team concentrating building on last year’s success and is pointing towards a strong showing at the state tournament.

“Last year’s squad was very young, in most matches we were starting underclassmen in eight to ten of the 14 weight classes,” said Bellantoni. “Yet we finished the season with a winning record. By mid-season this year, we will be fielding an experienced squad that will be very competitive.”

The McIntosh Program has welcomed another strong group of freshmen.

“Coach Mark Ruck at Booth Middle School has done another terrific job in preparing another group of athletes ready for High School wrestling. I expect that several Freshmen will be competing for Varsity positions,” Bellantoni added.

The Chiefs launch their season on Nov. 18 and 19 with the team traveling to South Gwinnett High School to participate in the very competitive Comet Classic.

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