WRESTLING SEASON PREVIEW: A fresh start for the Yellow Jackets with all new faces

DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Defiance College wrestling team enters a new era for the program beginning with their first match of the season at Case Western Reserve.

The program experienced a hard reset after not getting on the mats last year and is the only winter sport at DC with a new coaching staff for 2024-25. Defiance is led by first-year head coach Jake Henderson following a two-year stint as a graduate assistant at Rio Grande. He is assisted by Noah Clary who helped as an assistant coach at Lourdes. Both former college wrestlers have mentored wrestlers who qualified for the NAIA National Championships. Along with new coaches, the roster has also been completely remade since the program's last competition in Feb. 2023.

Season Outlook
The Yellow Jackets will compete in open meets due to a slim roster and numerous open weight classes. Defiance will be able to get valuable experience and one-on-one development through the season to set the foundation going forward. Coach Henderson is installing a holistic approach to coaching the team due to the rigors of college wrestling. "Wrestling is very much a sport where you have to do all aspects correctly, whether it is sleeping, nutrition, strength training, conditioning, technique, or anything else," says Henderson. This all-encompassing coaching is a huge component to the expectations for the season and seeing the team respond to those commitments. He also wants to see the program compete hard during every match and fight for every point with the hopes of learning every step of the way. 

About the Team
Defiance fields an all-new team with four new recruits joining the Yellow Jackets and Henderson is excited to see them all in action. Drew Matthews is one grappler to watch as his coaches describe the freshman as "very savvy and just a tough dude." Kaiden Luikart will also be in a spot to have success this season. Additionally, 45-year-old Brian Swineheart is in the mix on the heels of an acting, writing, production and comedy career.

Conference Outlook
Indiana Tech has won every WHAC wrestling title since the conference started sponsoring a conference championship in 2021. The Warriors are ranked No. 10 in the preseason NAIA Top 25. Lourdes also represented the conference in the Top 25 ranking No. 20 while Marian, Siena Heights, and Rochester Christian all received votes.

-JACKETS-