A buzz can be heard in the halls of Cedarcrest High School this

season. It’s the buzz of wrestling prowess and the excitement of a fresh start.

But the buzz is a bit louder this year as the Red Wolves’ wrestling

program nearly doubles in size and a new coach takes the reins. Josh

Garcia, newly appointed Red Wolves’ Athletic Director, will move up from

the middle school ranks for his first taste of KingCo wrestling head coach

duties. Garcia, very modest when talking about his own wrestling feats,

believes strongly that a program should be about the wrestlers themselves

and not the coaching staff. His love for the sport and his care for the school’s

athletes is obvious as 32 wrestlers consistently show up for practice each

day at Tolt Middle School.

Leading the pack of Wolf wrestlers is state placer Eric Pedeferri.

Pedeferri took the KingCo title last year in the 115-pound class and made it all

the way to third in state. He is not big in size, but his skill and patience

are deadly to opponents and wrestling in the 119-pound class should propel

him to a state title.

This year, Pedeferri has an added incentive to finish on top.

Brother Aaron has joined the team as a freshman and will likely wrestle varsity

at the 103-pound class. Their relationship on and off the mat, according

to mom, is one of teaching and practicing with the older likely giving a

few lessons to the younger.

In addition to the Pedeferri brothers, Cedarcrest has the support of

several other veterans. Nick Cavagnaro returns in the 112- or 119-pound

class. Cavagnaro took fifth last year in the 108-pound class at the KingCo

tournament as a freshman.

Logan Kingston, a junior, returns in the 130-pound class while

teammate Kris Cautrell will wrestle in the 145-pound class. Both wrestlers

have a year of added experience under their belts and will finish high in

the KingCo standings.

Several other sophomores will also be added to the varsity ranks.

Cole Birk, who wrestled at 190 pounds last year, will be at 189 or 215 this

year. Bella Hill will also return as a heavyweight, as will Tony Stedman in

the 150-pound class.

One additional thing that will contribute to the team’s success this

year is the continuing strength of its middle school program. And with that

program come three freshmen who may compete in the varsity ranks.

Already mentioned is Erin Pedeferri in the 103-pound class, but two other

experienced wrestlers will also have a shot at a

varsity position. Darren Deboer will likely compete at 112 pounds

and Andrew Claussen in the 130-pound class.

“Teams are not going to know what hit them,” says Coach

Garcia. “These kids work extremely hard and if they stick together they will

make some noise in the league.”

Cedarcrest will get an early chance to make some noise as they travel

to Mount Si to participate in the second annual David Szczepanik

Takedown Tournament on Dec. 4.