GROVE RIDGERUNNERS
Coach: JOHN WARD II
2025-26 Record: 11-6
OUTLOOK
Grove boys wrestling enters the season with a young group that already has meaningful varsity and postseason experience. Head coach John Ward II returns state qualifiers and a medalist from an 11-6 team. Other experienced contributors provide additional pieces as the next lineup develops.
Bryson Gelinas (So.) supplies an established postseason presence after finishing 32-8 and placing fourth at state as a freshman. His early success gives Grove a younger competitor familiar with important matches.
Ethan Pick (So.) adds another returning contributor after finishing 31-13 as a freshman. His state tournament run ended in the consolation semifinals, narrowly short of the medal podium. Pick’s coachability provides another reason for optimism. His development offers an opportunity for the team to become stronger through a returning wrestler accepting greater responsibility.
Kiowyn Deaton-Vancuren (So.) supplies another state qualifier after finishing 27-17 as a freshman. His length and athleticism give the coaching staff a different set of tools as it establishes the lineup. Ward also values his mental toughness and willingness to continue competing through difficult positions. Those qualities complement the experience he gained during his first high school campaign.
Eli Phillips (So.) adds another returning state qualifier after a 21-16 freshman season. Ward praises his preparation, endurance and toughness. That approach gives Grove another dependable example as wrestlers learn how to sustain performance over an entire campaign.
The four featured sophomores provide a substantial foundation of early varsity experience. Their development is one part of a broader lineup that includes additional wrestlers expected to contribute significantly.
