In order for Wadsworth High School wrestling to run like the machine it is, it's important to have individuals around who get it.
Grizzlies athletic director Brad Musgrave understood that and it's why, when a seasoned veteran put his name in the ring to take over as the next coach, he didn't hesitate with the hire.
Longtime assistant Mike Wenger told the team Tuesday afternoon he's taking over for his son, Clay, and the transition should be a smooth one. Clay Wenger stepped down as Wadsworth coach earlier this month to become the women's wrestling coach at Mount Union .
Wadsworth's official hiring of Mike Wenger is pending board approval Nov. 20.
"I think it's extremely important for the kids, for the coaching staff and for the program as a whole to have the continuity from Wenger to the other," Musgrave said. "He's been involved for so long. He knows the ins and outs of the program. He's been a staple behind the scenes and in front of the scenes for so long. I just think the stability that he brings in this transition was tremendously important for our program."
Mike Wenger been involved with Wadsworth wrestling for 27 years.
He opened a wrestling facility affectionately called "The Barn" in his backyard in 2002, and it's still running today. He's been a youth wrestling coach for Wadsworth and was an assistant under Clay for five years.
He also helped Clay run Battlezone , a nonprofit wrestling facility in Wadsworth.
"Wadsworth wrestling is very important," the elder Wenger said. "I love doing it. My whole family has been involved. It's a big part of what we do. We have a good time with it. We knew we needed someone who knew the tradition of the program.
"I've been there so long, but I have so many people to help. Nobody really leaves. [Former wrestling coach John Gramuglia] retired but he's not gone. Clay moved on, but he'll be around. The Squires are still around. Sam Brandenburg is still a big part of the program. Todd Baughman is still around. They stay around."
It's why Wadsworth never missed a beat under Clay and probably won't miss one under his dad.
In the five seasons Clay was coach, Wadsworth had state champions in Logan Messer , Chris Earnest and Jaxon Joy (twice). It has had 24 state placers and 51 state qualifiers.
Mike, who coached three state placers and a state runner-up at Smithville from 2016-18, inherits a team ready to continue that superiority.
Joy, who just finished third at the Super 32, returns as does state runner-up Aaron Ries.
State-placer Jack Dinwiddie is back as well as state-qualifiers Blake Frantz and Kolten Melton.
"It's tremendously important that Mike bleeds red and white," Musgrave said. "He's a Grizzly through and through. He's been here for the long haul in a variety of capacities. That was something that was important after Clay stepped down."
Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Wadsworth High School names Mike Wenger new head wrestling coach
