The Leo High School Wrestling Program has experienced a resurgence since its revival in 2015. We have had many regional champions, several sectional placers, a few state qualifiers along with a State Runner Up in James Foy in 2018. As a team, we have twice finished second in the Regional and the team was elated to win the 2018 1A Team Regional Championship! Our little class 1A program has been on the uptick for the past few years with Coach Michael Foy at the helm and assisted by Coach Mike Anderson Leo ’91. Coach Foy is a 2X Greco Roman Olympian, Greco World Silver Medalist and several time Greco National Champion. He wrestled at the University of Minnesota under world renowned Coach J. Robinson. Coach Foy has taught the young men about how to win in wrestling, but most importantly he has taught them how to win in life.
We graduated several wrestlers last year and as a result, have only a few returning wrestlers with experience. It goes without saying, that we are pretty young this year. The wrestlers to watch this year are (Sr.) Jordan Anderson at 145 lbs who was on the Regional Championship Team where he was runner up at his weight class. Last year Jordan was the Regional Champion at his weight class and wrestled tough in the Sectional to become an alternate for State. We also have second year wrestler (Jr.) Martin Pumphrey who finished 2nd last year in Regionals and wrestled hard in Sectionals. Martin has trimmed off a few pounds and is expected to do big things this year. (Sr.) Lorenzo York returns to break into the lineup at Heavyweight. (Sr.) Ronelle Johnson is returning after his first year wrestling and is excited about contributing to the team at 138 lbs. Several underclassmen who contributed last year are back to contribute more, including (So.) Raiyon Davidson, who had a 2nd Place finish at Regionals last year; (So.) Marcus Ray who turned into a very dynamic wrestler; (So.) Amari White; and (So.) Jakolbi Wilson. Our newcomers include, (So.) Evan Hill (a standout baseball player who is trying his hand at wrestling), (So.) James Sculfield, (Fr.) Esai Jacinto, (Fr.) Ameer Pumphrey, (Fr.) Isaiah Knox, (Fr.) Alejandro Hernandez, (Fr.) Merrick Sample and several other wrestlers that are transitioning from one sports season to the next. Overall it will be a very promising and competitive year.
We are greatly appreciative of the extraordinary support we have received from parents, Leo alumni, sponsors and friends who have helped to revive the Leo H.S. Wrestling program. Special thanks to Coach Mike Holmes for providing the singlets for the team, Malika Hannah who made sure our young Lions were decked out and looking good, Coach Keith Martin and Coach Gray who helped build the wrestling room and assisted in laying the foundation for the team, Principal Shaka Rawls who came and worked out with the team and supported the fundraisers prior to becoming Principal, President Dan McGrath who has done all the heavy lifting and last but definitely not least Mr. Jim Earner who has led fundraisers, dotted all the I’s and crossed all the T’s in order for us to be in compliance and well trained along with his son Matt. Thank you all!
Come out to watch a match or two!