News Archive
Balance of Experience and Youth Will Guide MHS Wrestling
SETTING THE SCENE: The MHS wrestling team will take to the mats for the first time the season, kicking off the year at the Edgewood Invitational this weekend. Coach Pete Babinec returns once again to lead the team.
PREVIEW: The Eagles look to move up from last year’s 5th place finish in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference, with the goal to end the season atop the conference rankings. The new season will begin with six returning starters leading the way in 2016. Returning starters include seniors Kyle Brady, Blake Miller, Jimmy Murphy, and Daniel Wilson, junior Tre Spillman, and freshman Kobey Bronaugh.
Murphy was named first team all-ECC last season, the first Milford wrestler to receive that honor since the inception of the Eastern Cincinnati Conference. Murphy recorded a 45-8 record, bringing his career total to 93-37. Murphy claimed championships at the Milford Invitational Tournament and the Eastern Cincinnati Conference meet. Murphy secured a 4th place finish at OHSAA District Championship in order to advance to the Sectional Tournament. He ended the year ranked 1st in the ECC at 132.
Bronaugh was named to the All-ECC second team, and ranked 1st in the ECC at 106 last season. He finished his freshman year at 32-11, with championships at both the Edgewood Invitational and the Milford Invitational Tournament. He was a runner-up at the Eastern Cincinnati Conference championship meet and Mason’s James V. Horning Memorial Tournament. Bronaugh finished second in the 106 weight class at the OSHAA District Championship. He secured a fifth place finish at the Sectional Tournament, and a spot as an alternate for the State Championship.
Also named to the All-ECC second team last season, Wilson finished the year ranked 3rd in the ECC at 220. Wilson was a runner-up in his weight class at the 2016 ECC Championship Tournament, helping the team to a fourth place finish.
At 160, Spillman finished in third place at the 2016 ECC Championships, and was a sixth place finisher at the Milford Invitational. The 2016 season ended with Spillman ranked 5th in the ECC standings at 160 and honored with ECC Honorable Mention.
The Eagles will balance their experience with youth, as they start four freshman in the initial invitational this weekend; Adam Anderson, Justin Bell, Derek Elliott, and Max Ward. And look for senior Alex Geis, after a great preseason of open mats, to make his wrestling and varsity debut.
SCHEDULE: The Eagles open the season on Friday, 12/9 and Saturday, 12/10 at the Edgewood Invitational. Action is set to begin at 5:00 on Friday and will continue Saturday at 10:00 am. The invite will be held at Edgewood High School.
POLL WATCH: Milford wrestling did not receive any votes in the Division I preseason area coaches’ poll from the Cincinnati Enquirer. Mason received the most votes, followed by Elder, LaSalle, Moeller and Fairfield. The ECC’s Loveland debuts in tenth place. Other ECC programs receiving votes include Glen Este (9) and Anderson (1).
