The nice thing about being Whitehall wrestling is that no matter how many great athletes you graduate, there are more good ones on the way.
Such is the case again for a Vikings' team that should again have a good chance to make a run in the state tournament, despite the losses of state champions Gavin Craner and Wyatt Jenkins to graduation.
Whitehall brings back several wrestlers who have qualified for state over the past couple of years and a handful of regional qualifiers as well as they gear up for what projects to be another strong season.
"We have a good mix of young guys and veterans, and I couldn't be more pleased with them as a group," Whitehall coach Justin Zeerip said. "They come in every day as a group with good attitudes and high character. We're just trying to become better so we can have a good season, so we can get better every single day."
One big thing that's a boost for Whitehall this year is that there aren't any long-term injuries hanging over the team. Last season the Vikes lost two projected starters to football injuries, but this year the lineup is intact as the season begins.
Three 2025 state qualifiers are back for the Vikings, including fifth-place finisher Liam Leeke. After a big year on the gridiron, Leeke is likely to be a star again on the mat. Fellow state qualifiers Cody Manzo and Billy Darke return as well. Darke qualified for state as a freshman at 215 pounds, an impressive feat, and should be even better after gaining experience against the big boys. Manzo, who's qualified for state twice, is eager to step into a leadership role, Zeerip said.
Also back is Max Krukowski, a 2024 state qualifier and 100-match winner in his career.
"He's a quiet leader for us," Zeerip said. "He works super hard. He has very high character."
Supplementing the lineup are some regional qualifiers who will aim to take the next step to state this year. Colten Kyser fell one match short of the state meet in 2025 and brings strength and athleticism to the mat after "hitting the weight room hard," Zeerip said. Tommy Leeke was another regional qualifier a year ago and will be moving up the lineup after a growth spurt since last season, when he wrestled at the lightest weights. Isaac O'Boyle is also back after qualifying for regionals as a freshman.
Other presumed starters will include Robert Belinger, who racked up a bunch of victories last year; Wyatt McFarren, a West Michigan Conference champ last year; sophomore Blake Wallace; senior Hunter Peterson, who's "bided his time," Zeerip said, and is ready to burst onto the scene; Tanner Woodworth, who's up some 20 pounds from a year ago; and Easton Wisniewski, who like Peterson is ready to step into a bigger role.
Freshman Dom Zygmuntowski should have an immediate impact as well. He comes in after a highly credentialed career in the youth and club ranks and will push for a starring role. Other newer names to watch for could include freshman Brayden Brown and senior Liam Waller, who battled illness last year and is back on the roster.
On the girls' side, Kassie Sapp enjoyed an incredible freshman season, making it all the way to the state finals match before finishing second, and she'll be after the top spot on the podium this season. Miley Manzo was a regional qualifier last season and will also be motivated to take the next step in her career.
The Vikings fell one match short of their constant goal of wrestling on the final day of the season a year ago, though Zeerip downplays the idea that there will be any extra motivation from their quarterfinal loss to Lakewood last March.
"Our goal is always to wrestle that last day of the season," Zeerip said. "We try not to read too many projections out there and just try to be the best versions of ourselves."
The Vikings' schedule doesn't vary much year-to-year, as the team competes at several high-level competitions. The Martin Clipper Classic is always a pre-Christmas highlight, with the Rockford Super Duals soon after. The home Rick Champion Duals gives the Vikes the chance to get some top competition on their home turf.
After a summer and late fall of largely wrestling one another, the Whitehall team is eager to take some aggression out on opponents.
"I'm really excited for the season," Zeerip said. "They've been working really hard. We're excited to compete against some other guys."
