In the past couple of seasons, Richland Northeast wrestling coach Richard Bonneville could point his veteran–laden team in the right direction and watch as its athleticism produced individual and team victories.

Those days are over.

“We lost an unbelievable number of four–year starters,” Bonneville said. “We’re very, very young. I have a lot of good athletes who want to learn and want to do well. Where last year we had a bunch of animals that went out there and imposed their will, this group is more intellectual. They are a more “coach show me how that goes” or “how do I do this if.”

As a result, the Cavaliers approach the season’s first two months as an extension of practice. They will focus on February.

“We’re going to work on the basics every day for the next two months,” Bonneville said. “We’ll go as slow as we need to, but they are going to learn the moves and techniques. And this team is eager to learn. This is a group that I think is going to be good at the right time. The goal is, come the Lower State meet, that we have people in position to make state.”

More than two dozen are on this year’s roster, but only a handful of those are seniors. Of those, only three have starting experience: Ashleigh Rippy (112 pounds), Dustin Billings (189), and William Bonaparte (215). Two other seniors are new. Stephan Cavanaugh (160) transferred in, and Bonneville hopes football standout Jordan Thomas (heavyweight) will join the team once his football commitments have ended.

Bonneville has been surprised by his lighter weight classes so far.

“Ashleigh isn’t just filling weight class; I expect her to win,” Bonneville said. “Damion Glover (103, freshman) weighs 96 pounds, but he’ll get after your butt. He will be really good. Brandon Benitez (125, sophomore) has looked good, technically speaking. Some guys may be a touch faster and a little stronger, but he really runs some good moves. He’s already doubled his win total from last year, when he started as a freshman.”

Juniors anchor the middle weights. Joel Jackson (135) begins his third varsity season, and Bonneville expects him to take his performance to a higher level. Javon Cook (140 or 145) is wrestling for the first time. Brandon Howard (140, 145) was underweight in the 152–pound class last season and will wrestle in a lighter class.

Sophomores Jevany Hyde (152) and Tovin Johnson (171) and freshman Xavier Cornish (119) are out for the first time. While Hyde and Johnson have little competition for starting spots, Cornish must challenge and overcome Denee’ Waters, who wrestled last season: The spot is hers for as long as she keeps it.