Matt Mentzer led the Trojans to a 12-4 mark last season.
Chambersburg wrestling coach Matt Mentzer is not shy about singing his team’s praises.
“Our goal is to win the District 3 title, and win multiple District 3 (individual) championships,” Mentzer said. “We think we can be the best team in the district, so we’ve made our motto: ‘It’s time to prove it.'”
The Trojans were 12-4 a year ago, losing only to Mid Penn Commonwealth powers Central Dauphin and Cumberland Valley (twice, once in districts) and PIAA Class 2A runner-up Southern Columbia.
The only significant loss was state qualifier Drake Brenize, who is now wrestling at Shippensburg University.
Mentzer said, “We think we have the horses to do it. We had five kids in the district semifinals last year and four are back. We have eight kids who’s goal is to win a medal at states, and if they do well, then the team goals will take care of themselves.”
The Trojans are ranked No. 14 in the first Pa. Power state Class 3A rankings, with Cedar Cliff the only District 3 team ahead of them.
Leading the pack is junior 170-pounder Luke Nichter, who was a PIAA runner-up a year ago. He compiled a 38-7 record, winning sectionals and districts, with 24 bonus-point wins. He enters the season ranked No. 1 in the state by Pa. Power.
Luke Nichter was a PIAA Class 3A runner-up last season.
His brother Tate Nichter (145 pounds), a sophomore, was 29-11 (with 20 pins), took second in sectionals and districts, and went 1-2 at states. He’s ranked No. 10 in the state.
Seniors Cole Grove (126, 28-10, ranked No. 10 in the state) and Seth Runshaw (152, 20-17) both made it to the district semifinals, while seniors Spencer Runshaw (138, 21-11) and Guy Lozius (195, 12-16) and junior Wyatt Hull (220-285, 10-17) all qualified for the District 3 tournament.
“I believe with the lineup we have — if we stay healthy — I have a lot of confidence in our kids,” Mentzer said. “I like our kids and I like our depth. Guys like Lozius and Hull have made a lot of progress (in the offseason) and have taken steps to possibly get to states. Those two have really pushed themselves.”
The Trojans have five other experienced wrestlers back — seniors Zae Kirk (160, 2-18) and Jose Chavarria (182, 1-14), junior Carson Mello (160, 9-2) and sophomores Anthony Colangelo (120, 14-14) and Tyler Smith (106, 12-16).
Six others are new to the lineup, but are expected to play key roles for Chambersburg: Sophomores Joey Fuller (220-285), Kelby Mixell (132) and April Rump (106) and freshmen Karl Shindledecker (113) and Ryder Davenport (132).
Mixell and Davenport are in a dogfight for the spot at 132, Fuller should be the starter at 220, Rump — the third member of that family to wrestle for the Trojans — could be a factor at 106, and much is expected of Shindledecker.
Mentzer said, “Shindledecker is a seasoned kid who just has to get some consistency in practice habits.
Cole Grove had a 28-10 record last year.
“I think we have two good options at every weight. In big duals in the past, we didn’t have the flexibility to move people around, so if we lost the flip we were in trouble. But now we have kids with experience and success. I also like the way the weights are spread out.”
The Trojans will host the Chambersburg Duals Tournament on Saturday, bringing in Conestoga Valley, Lancaster Catholic, Big Spring, Greencastle-Antrim and New Oxford. The first round is 9 a.m., with the final round scheduled for 1:30.
Other tournaments include the MyHOUSE Trojan Wars at home on Dec. 28-29, Beast of the East, Southern Columbia Duals and Escape the Rock. In addition to the usual tough Commonwealth slate, Chambersburg will face Spring Grove in a key non-league encounter.
Mentzer said, “If I could make the schedule any tougher, I would, but there’s not many breaks in there.”
If his team performs, the opponents will look at Chambersburg as anything but a break.
NOTES: All home matches will be held in the Auxiliary Gym … Shindledecker is a transfer from Waynesboro … The MyHOUSE Trojan Wars has increased its field from 39 to 47 varsity teams, plus 34 middle school teams … Chambersburg has 24 kids on the roster (“That’s the most we’ve had in the 10 years I’ve been here,” Mentzer said), plus 35 on the middle school team and 90-plus in the youth program … “I like those numbers,” Mentzer said.