Newark Wildcats’ large senior wrestling class holds special bond

On Feb 10, 2023

NEWARK — The wrestling was the easy part for Hunter Cayton on Thursday night.

Cayton opened his senior night, making his singing debut as he and teammates senior Landon Caw and sophomore Kallan Baker sang the National Anthem. It came after a rehearsal for coach Geoff Moore.

“We just asked (Moore), and he actually has us sing it to him the office before we came over here,” Cayton said. “That was the first time I’ve ever done it. It was spur of the moment.”

The performance kicked off a celebration of Newark’s nine-man senior class, an eye-popping number for a wrestling team. The class ranges from Jibreel Smith, who is hoping to make a return trip to the Division I state tournament, to Aydon Heckman-Kirk, a first-year competitor, and has everything in between.

“What makes this senior class special is the way we all come together, and we’re just a big family,” Cayton said. Also being honored were seniors Calvin Untied, Ray Taylor, Reece Redman, Gavin Storts and Jared Sherrard.

Newark won all five contested varsity matches against Groveport, picking up a 69-0 victory in Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division action. Nick Harrell earned a late reversal and near fall to win 11-7 at 113 pounds, and Cayton (138), Untied (144), Eli Justice (150) and Jaeyden Smith (157) won by pin for the Wildcats, who visit Lancaster on Feb. 17 with a chance to force a share of the Buckeye title.

Untied made quick work of his opponent in his return after an injury cost him more than a month. The atmosphere around the program is a motivating factor.

“It is special because a lot of these guys I’ve known probably have the most heart out of any senior class we’ve had,” Untied said. “They always put their heart on the line, try their hardest in the wrestling room. When the coaches get on them, they don’t back talk.”

Because Groveport only dressed five varsity competitors, Newark wrestled several intrasquad matches to give everyone an opportunity in front of family and friends. James Daugherty, Newark’s 165-pound standout, wrestled Heckman-Kirk at 215, and Smith pinned Cayton.

“We’ve grown together, all gotten better together. Making it to state is good, but I would rather bring someone up to my level than for just me to get better,” Smith said. “All of my teammates I spar with, they know I love them. I mess them up a little bit, but it makes them better.”

It all was in good fun. The Wildcats now will get down to business.

Newark hosts the sectional tournament on Feb. 25 as the Wildcats attempt to continue the momentum that saw them send five wrestlers apiece to the district tournament the last two seasons.

“Me and Jibreel might have just wrestled each other, but it’s all love at the end of the day,” Cayton said. “We push each other in practice to go harder, do better. It’s all you can ask for.”