Wrestling Set to Compete in 2018-19

DEFIANCE, OHIO –The revamped Defiance College men's wrestling team is set to open the 2018-19 season under the direction of head coach Antonio Guerra. Guerra comes to DC after a highly successful stint at Ashland University where he served as the head assistant wrestling coach for three seasons.

The Purple and Gold open the highly anticipated 2018-19 season with high levels of excitement as they welcome a talented group of young men who will look to compete among the elite in NCAA Division III.

"I'm excited the season is finally here," said Guerra. "We have a great group of guys that bring a lot of good energy to the program."

Here is a breakdown of the 2018-19 Defiance College wrestling team by weight class.

125 – The Yellow Jackets welcome freshmen Rosendo Beltran and Dominic Newton who both will look to compete for mat time this season. Beltran comes to DC after graduating from Toledo Central Catholic where he was a three-time State qualifier finishing fourth overall his senior year. Newton joins the Yellow Jacket family from Euclid High School.

133 – Freshmen Noah Saunders, Seth Beard, and Raymier Hickerson will all look to battle this season as they bring a tremendous amount of skill and talent to the mat. Beard comes to Defiance from Napoleon High School where he was a four-time State placer, two-time State Finalist and a State Champion as a senior. Saunders makes the short trip to DC from Swanton High School, while Hickerson makes the trip west from Cleveland Heights High School.

141 – Freshman Alex Smith will look to dominate the 141 pound weight class as he comes to DC from Sandusky St. Mary's High School. While at St. Mary's, Smith qualified for State three times and was a State placer on two separate occasions.

149 – The Purple and Gold bring in freshmen Cortez Bradley and Devonte Gaskill for the 2018-19 campaign. Cortez is a graduate of Warrensville Heights High School, while Gaskill comes from Niles, Mich. and both will look to make an impact for the Yellow Jackets this season.

165 – Newcomers Tyler Houston of Swanton High School and Shamar Steele of Cleveland Heights High School will look to anchor the 165 pound weight class in 2018-19. The duo brings a tremendous amount of talent and mat experience.

174 – Defiance has a deep roster at the 174 pound weight class as they welcome freshman Mason Morris, freshman Shannon Legge, and Houston. Morris comes to DC from Central Crossing High School, while Legge makes the trip north from Marysville.

184 – Freshman Hunter Mcnutt will look to anchor the 184 pound weight class as he enters his first season with the Yellow Jackets. Mcnutt comes to Defiance from Oregon Clay High School.

197 – Freshman Jesse Guzman rounds out the 2018-19 team for Guerra as he will compete in the 197 pound weight class. He comes to Defiance from Findlay, Ohio.

The Purple and Gold open the 2018-19 season on Saturday, Nov. 3 as they travel to Adrian College for the second annual wrestling invitational.