Waite wrestlers return to the summit of the City League

 
The City League is known for its tough, gritty wrestlers.
       
Throughout the years, the conference has produced some of the best Ohio has to offer, and this year will be no different.
       
Led by the senior trio of Phoenix Contos, Ohio’s No. 1 wrestler at 138 pounds, Bryce Jennings and Santos Ayala, Waite won its fifth league title in seven years, finishing first with 168.5 points, well ahead of Start, which came in second with 139.5 points. Bowsher was third with 115.5 points, followed by Lima Senior (83), Woodward (68), Northwood (58), Rogers (24) and Scott (24).
       
It was the first conference championship for the Indians since Start won two in a row. Before that, Waite won four consecutive league titles.
       
Jennings, who was victorious at 144, competing with basically one hand after suffering burns on the other, joined Contos in winning a third consecutive individual league title. Ayala won his weight class at 132.
       
Waite’s other two titles came from Isaiah Shular (126) and DeAndre Burkes (215), who was named the CL’s Wrestler of the Year.
       
Waite coach Russ Jennings talked about his club’s performance.
       
“I knew that if we wrestled hard, we would have a chance at the end. Isaiah Shular won a big title for us, and the rest of the kids did what they were supposed to do. My son won a title, Phoenix Contos won a title, Santos Ayala won a title and DeAndre Burkes won a title at 215. We kind of expected those guys to win,” said Russ Jennings. “The turning point came with Shular; he wrestled well. Everything else would go as I thought. I’m super grateful to win my fifth City League title.”
       
Russ Jennings knows his wrestlers can compete with the best Ohio has to offer.
       
“As far as confidence goes, we don’t lack a lot of confidence, I think we have the toughest sectional and district in the state in Division I,” he said. “There are going to be kids that have to go out and wrestle hard, and they’ll have a chance to advance.”
       
Russ Jennings is also quick to credit assistant coach Kevin Contos.
       
“He’s a great tactician,” he said. “He gets the kids ready. I don’t think Kevin gets enough credit. He’s instrumental in the technique the kids display”
       
Russ Jennings had high praise for Phoenix Contos and Bryce Jennings.
       
“Phoenix and Bryce are both seniors, Phoenix is the No. 1 kid in the state (in his weight class), and Bryce has had ups and downs — lots of injuries, second-degree burns; he won the City League title with basically one hand,” said Russ Jennings. “They lead the team. They bring a lot of energy to the table.”
       
The conference title is a win for the East Side pride that is prevalent at Waite.
       
“It means a lot to these kids. I’m glad I got to coach at Waite. It means the world to the kids. Sometimes, these kids don’t have a lot to look forward to,” he said. “It brings a lot of pride to the school. Some of these kids, all they have is wrestling. It’s a big thing for them and me and Coach Contos. It’s a foundation; there’s a lot of discipline involved in wrestling. There’s a sacrifice that has to be made for wrestling, and I think it helps with life skills.”