MIDDLE POINT – When Kevin Browning, the first-ever wrestling coach at Parkway, decided to step down before this season, longtime assistant coach Jeremy Joseph seemed to be the most logical replacement.
Since the program’s inception eight years ago, Joseph has been there to assist Browning.
Now, Joseph is in charge as the new head coach at Parkway.
So far, it’s been a very smooth transition.
At Saturday’s Lancer Invitational at Lincolnview, Parkway came away with its second consecutive team title at this invite.
Parkway pulled away in the final round to notch the team title with 340 points. Spencerville finished second (285). Delphos Jefferson (198), Antwerp (153) and Celina (141) rounded out the top five squads in the 11-team field.
Eight years ago, Browning started the program at Parkway as a club team. Three years later, Parkway began to compete at the varsity level.
Joseph was there along the way to help Browning develop the program.
“This is back-to-back wins for us (at Lancer Invite),” Joseph said. “I couldn’t be prouder of the kids. I give it (credit) to them with it being my first year. I’m just filling a void, and they’re taking over.”
Parkway filled every weight class, except the 285-pound weight class, on Saturday.
The Panthers had four champions Saturday. Collin Fokine (120 pounds), Bryce Mihm (170), Kane Younker (195) and Graham Farmer (152) all notched titles for Parkway.
Fokine was voted Top Freshman, by the coaches at Saturday’s invite.
Farmer had the most unique win on the day – a victory over teammate Brenden Etzcorn in the championship match. Due to the low numbers of participants in some of the weight classes, Farmer and Etzcorn squared off in the finals.
Farmer (8-2) pinned Etzcorn, early in the second period.
“It’s a great thing to see,” Farmer said, in reference to Saturday’s finals. “You have yourself and your partner – the person you work with in the wrestling room. It’s just good to come out here and get first or second. … It’s a great thing. He (Etzcorn) is a good kid and a great athlete.”
Farmer, a Division III district qualifier last season, has high expectations for this year.
“I want to get to districts, and beyond,” he said. “We’re shooting for the stars this year.”
Spencerville had a very strong showing Saturday.
Jay Goetz (132), Brandon Dues (220) and Darius Clark (285) all notched titles for Spencerville.
Goetz, a senior, became a four-time champion at the Lancer Invitational on Saturday. With his stellar performance, Goetz was named Most Valuable Wrestler.
“It (Lancer Invite) was pretty competitive,” Goetz said. “It was more about keeping focused and going out there and doing my best in my matches.”
More times than not, Goetz’s game plan is to come out and wrestle aggressively.
“It depends on who the kid is,” Goetz said. “If I know they are going to put up a good fight, then I’ll try to get it over as soon as I can, because I don’t want to burn myself out.”
Goetz’s teammate, Brandon Dues (3-0), won his second Lancer Invite title Saturday.
Dues had a hard-fought championship match against Delphos Jefferson’s Kane Plescher. Dues finally got Plescher on his back and pinned him in the third period.
“He’s a great opponent,” the junior Dues said about Plescher. “I’ve known him for two years, and we’ve practiced a few times together. It was a great match. Neither of us wanted to give up. … It was a great win.”
Parkway Brenden Etzcom (behind) wrestles with Delphos Jefferson Taylor Thompson at Lincolnview High School High Saturday.
https://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2019/12/web1_Lincolnview-wrestling-DS-9-1-1.jpgParkway Brenden Etzcom (behind) wrestles with Delphos Jefferson Taylor Thompson at Lincolnview High School High Saturday. Don Speck | The Lima News
Celina Andrew Hines (on top) tries to control Emma Dailey from Delphos Jefferson in their 106 lb match at Lincolnview Saturday.
https://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2019/12/web1_Lincolnview-wrestling-DS-1-1-1.jpgCelina Andrew Hines (on top) tries to control Emma Dailey from Delphos Jefferson in their 106 lb match at Lincolnview Saturday. Don Speck | The Lima News
Spencerville Grayson Ford (right) attempts wrap up Delphos Jefferson Cody Redman at Lincolnview High School High Saturday.
https://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2019/12/web1_Lincolnview-wrestling-DS-10-1-1.jpgSpencerville Grayson Ford (right) attempts wrap up Delphos Jefferson Cody Redman at Lincolnview High School High Saturday. Don Speck | The Lima News
Parkway Graham Farmer wrestles with Spencerville Emerson Layman at 152lb at Lincolnview High School High Saturday.
https://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2019/12/web1_Lincolnview-wrestling-DS-11-1-1.jpgParkway Graham Farmer wrestles with Spencerville Emerson Layman at 152lb at Lincolnview High School High Saturday. Don Speck | The Lima News
Spencerville’s Marxen Bolinger (bottom)attempts to get out of the hold of Antwerp’s Trayce Lengacher at Lincolnview High School High December 14th, 2019 Photo By Don Speck
https://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2019/12/web1_Lincolnview-wrestling-DS-6-1-1.jpgSpencerville’s Marxen Bolinger (bottom)attempts to get out of the hold of Antwerp’s Trayce Lengacher at Lincolnview High School High December 14th, 2019 Photo By Don Speck Don Speck | The Lima News
Lincolnview Asher Hubble (blue/white) makes a spin move on Sidney Lehman John Wesner in their 138lb class matchat Lincolnview High School High December 14th, 2019 Photo By Don Speck
https://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2019/12/web1_Lincolnview-wrestling-DS-7-1-1.jpgLincolnview Asher Hubble (blue/white) makes a spin move on Sidney Lehman John Wesner in their 138lb class matchat Lincolnview High School High December 14th, 2019 Photo By Don Speck Don Speck | The Lima News
Parkway Brenden Etzcom (on top) wrestles with Delphos Jefferson Taylor Thompson at 152lb at Lincolnview High School High December 14th, 2019 Photo By Don Speck
https://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2019/12/web1_Lincolnview-wrestling-DS-8-1-1.jpgParkway Brenden Etzcom (on top) wrestles with Delphos Jefferson Taylor Thompson at 152lb at Lincolnview High School High December 14th, 2019 Photo By Don Speck Don Speck | The Lima News
Parkway’s Hutch Ridenour (left) wrestles with Celina’s Cal Giesige at Lincolnview High School High December 14th, 2019 Photo By Don Speck
https://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2019/12/web1_Lincolnview-wrestling-DS-2-1-1.jpgParkway’s Hutch Ridenour (left) wrestles with Celina’s Cal Giesige at Lincolnview High School High December 14th, 2019 Photo By Don Speck Don Speck | The Lima News
Ottawa-Glandorf’s Angel Rosales tries to pick up Celina’s Billy Roberts during their 138lb match at Lincolnview High School Saturday.
https://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2019/12/web1_Lincolnview-wrestling-DS-4-1-1.jpgOttawa-Glandorf’s Angel Rosales tries to pick up Celina’s Billy Roberts during their 138lb match at Lincolnview High School Saturday. Don Speck | The Lima News
Spencerville Jay Goetz (top) tries to control Lincolnview Evan Heffner in the 132lb class at Lincolnview High School High Saturday.
https://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2019/12/web1_Lincolnview-wrestling-DS-5-1-1.jpgSpencerville Jay Goetz (top) tries to control Lincolnview Evan Heffner in the 132lb class at Lincolnview High School High Saturday. Don Speck | The Lima News
