That's our foundation,'' DeSales coach Mark Marinelli said. From there, you have the support of the parents and everybody else involved in the program. You need that first, and we have that now. DeSales has a chance to overtake Walsh in large part because its novice and junior high programs have kept the varsity stocked with talent. Freshman C.P. Schlatter and junior Jason Barnett are favorites to win state titles, and individuals such as freshman Frank Brown at 103 pounds give the Stallions much-needed depth.
Experience is probably more of a key in wrestling than in other sports.
And it helps explain why there are so few one-year wonders. Gaier, unlike basketball coach Carl Kremer, figures to be back in Columbus for years to come. Seven of his 10 wrestlers competing this week are underclassmen, and seven came up through the burgeoning youth program. Every year we get fellows who come out for the wrestling team for the first time,'' he said. And while having two or three individuals in the finals guarantees a team will score big points, most coaches agree it takes quality and quantity to score enough to bring home a team title.