ABOVE) Ada varsity wrestling team, from left, front row: Silas Riblet, Liam Vieira, Landon Simon, Rey Hurley, Peyton Karsten. Middle: Wyatt Fisher, Zaiden Denslow, Dylan Marshall, Gio Hurley, Scarlett Long. Back: assistant coach Joey Carl, Ethan Carl, Layne Simon, Easton Lane, assistant coach Carter Bivens, head coach Eric Perkins.
BELOW) Returning Ada wrestling lettermen, from left, front: Silas Riblet, Liam Vieira, Landon Simon, Wyatt Fisher, Peyton Karsten Back: Zaiden Denslow, Layne Simon.
By Cort Reynolds
Veteran Ada High School head coach Eric Perkins is enthused about the Bulldog wrestling team entering his fifth season as they join the Blanchard Valley Conference.
Ada boasts 14 grapplers back with varsity experience, including seven lettermen, for the promising 2024-25 season.
“We are trying to build on our experience and recent past,” said coach Perkins. “It is our first year in a new league, so the new competition is exciting.
“This is the most experienced team I have had,” he continued. “It is a fun group of kids to coach. We had some individual success last year. Team-wise, we were young.”
Tough senior three-time letterman Liam Vieira is one of the top returnees at 144 lbs. He has won 83 matches over the past three seasons, and fashioned a fine 29-11 record last year.
“Liam has won a lot of matches for us and is one of four seniors,” said Perkins. “He is our most experienced and technically-skilled wrestler. He has a ton of potential to win a lot this year.
“He is a great leader and is always encouraging his teammates,” he added. “He is the leader of the team.”
Senior Landon Simon is another three-time letterman expected to hold down the 215 lbs. slot in the lineup. He finished sixth at sectionals last year, and authored a 25-23 record.
“Landon struggled some as a freshman but stayed positive,” Perkins recalled. “He stuck with it, got better and made a big leap as a sophomore. He then improved and moved up to 215.
“He has worked really hard in the weight room and is one of the leaders of the team,” he continued. “He is always positive.”
Intense junior Silas Riblet is back at 120 lbs. after posting a solid 25-18 record last winter. He won two matches at the district tournament last year.
“Silas has qualified for districts twice, and he improved this summer,” said Perkins. “He is more technically sound, and will be a team leader. I am hoping for a lot of good things from him.”
Junior Zaiden Denslow is back at 126 lbs. after lettering last year. “He is getting a lot better and has really embraced wrestling,” Perkins offered.
Junior Peyton Karsten lettered last season at heavyweight (285). “He has worked hard and improved technically since last year,” said Perkins. “I expect a lot from him this season.”
Tall sophomore Layne Simon lettered last year at 157 lbs., and is moving up in weight to the 165 or 175 lbs. class this winter.
“Layne had a pretty good freshman year, and was especially good in the first half,” said Perkins. “He missed much of the last part of the season with injury.”
Aggressive sophomore Wyatt Fisher lettered at 138 lbs. after winning 11 matches a year ago. “He really improved a lot last year,” said the coach. “We are relying on him this year to have a lot of success. I look for him to take a big step forward.”
Senior Ken Zheng returns to help anchor a deep 215 lbs. Bulldog class. “Ken has gotten more athletic every year, he wrestled as a sophomore,” the coach recounted. “He gives a lot in practice and pushes the other wrestlers.”
Sophomore Steven Fisher is also back at the 215 lbs. weight class. “He wrestled last year, and we are hoping he can reach his potential,” said Perkins. “He is quiet and does the right thing.”
Sophomore Easton Lane (285) is a new transfer from Van Wert. Freshman Easton Lee (150) “is a first-year guy with some past wrestling experience,” Perkins offered.
Gio Hurley (190) is the freshman brother of senior heavyweight Rey Hurley. Rey and Lane add depth to the three-man heavyweight class for Ada. “Rey is a first-year senior wrestler who works hard,” said the coach.
Sophomore Dylan Marshall (132) is a newcomer to the team who works hard, the coach reported.
Promising freshman Ethan Carl (165/175) wrestled in junior high. “He has gotten bigger and stronger, and will be a major contributor,” said Perkins.
Spunky freshman Scarlett Long is the lone girl on the squad. “I think she will do a really good job for us this year,” said Perkins. “She will compete in boys matches during the regular season at 106, and then compete in the girls post-season tournament.”
Long earned valuable experience wrestling for Ada at the junior high level.
Ada 2023 state qualifier Clayton McClain (144) was the only senior who graduated from the youthful 2023-24 team. He was 45-9 last season and won 130 career matches. McClain finished fifth in the districts at 150 lbs. last year to just miss returning to state.
Regarding the eight-team BVC wrestling race, Perkins “feels like we fit in pretty well in the new league. Our goal is to finish in the top half of the BVC.
“We want to get better every day and continue to improve,” he said of the team’s general goal. “We have a group of kids who all want to get better. They like to compete, and are good kids.”
Assistants Carter Bivens and Joey Carl round out the varsity coaching staff.
Ada opens its season at the annual Cory-Rawson Duals event Saturday, December 7.
The Bulldogs host the Ada Invitational Saturday, February 1. The BVC championship meet is at Van Buren Feb. 15.
Sectionals are the following Saturday, Feb. 22.
