MEDIA DAY GALLERY

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Otterbein men's wrestling program is now just one week away from launching its 2023-24 slate of competition, with some new dynamics encompassing the group ahead of its long winter schedule that bridges semesters.

The group of (roughly 30) Cardinals has been grinding through some uncertain times as of late with the absence of head coach Brent Rastetter, who is currently out on medical leave following sudden open-heart surgery in late September. He is now recovering and hoping/expecting to return in January.

"It was a shock to all of us… but these kids are using his fight to motivate their push ahead, work a little harder and make him proud," said Doug Short, now serving as interim head coach after working alongside Rastetter since launching the program in 2016. "We hope to get him back here soon enough… but the daily focus is to get/keep things where they need to be for when he walks back in."

Short and others will help guide a roster expected to feature a full variety of talent, class years and weight options within the lineup. Plenty of spots remain up for grabs and fans might see some moving parts and tinkering to begin the first portion of the schedule.

"Our approach is the same as in the past," Short continued. "Coach Rastetter is big on the essentials, and then adding in your own spin as time marches on. Right now, we are covering the basics with some new guys coming in and getting everybody into proper shape for opening week. It's been good progress so far."

The program needs to replace multi-time NCAA qualifiers Ryan Whitten and Jarrod Setliff, but does welcome back most starters and some veterans with nice experience.

Seniors Austin Amens and Kyle De Moss, along with junior Cale Callahan, have been selected as team captains. Callahan (27-11) and Amens (23-9) have both turned in positive records over the last two years despite some nagging injuries limiting their time on the mat.

"We are looking at all of these juniors and seniors to make the next jump," Short said emphatically. "They have been here for a little while now and are eager to produce more. Some of them have missed time with injuries so they definitely want to step forward in a big way and prove themselves. I see those three (specifically) doing a good job as captains and leading others."

Noah Houchins (125), Zach Orseno (133) were primary starters at the lowest weights a year ago while Andrew Sas, Nathan Leko and Carter Mottley have shown flashes in the 141-149 range.

Jacob Williams, competing anywhere from 157-174 over his run, is back to exercise a fifth year. Logan Cormell (14-14 as a freshman) demonstrated high potential in his inaugural run, as did Gary Steele with 20 matches of experience.

Caiden Hooks, Brandon Thomas, Zac Stray and Billy Reed-Bodey are all back for opportunities in the heavier divisions. Nine of the 10 wins for Thomas last winter came via pin, as he spent multiple years learning alongside Setliff.

Six true freshmen have also joined the roster, looking to learn the ropes and begin making impacts across the board within a nice team culture.

"The last few years, it's been a tight-knit group that has taken everybody in. It's neat to see them join the inner circle and feel accepted as soon as they walk in. Not just with wrestling stuff, but throughout campus and everyday life. Our upperclassmen have been really open to doing that."

The group commences the schedule on the first day of November with another head-to-head showcase vs. Ohio Wesleyan, this time up in Delaware (Branch Rickey Arena) at 5 p.m. Following that, Otterbein heads to the customary/annual Lycoming Invitational in Pennsylvania for its first weekend trip.