Times Observer file photo Sheffield junior Hayden Holden just missed qualifying for the PIAA Northwest 2A Regional Tournament last season.

Despite talk of Sheffield High School closing after this school year, the Wolverines can’t look at it that way until it happens, according to their wrestling coach, Tom Holden.

“As far as the possibility of it being our last season, we need to approach this season like we are building for the future,” said Holden. “We have a young team that I hope and pray (the wrestlers) get to remain Wolverines throughout their high school careers.”

That starts with one — junior Hayden Holden — who just missed qualifying for the Northwest 2A Regional Tournament.

Holden has 49 wins in two seasons, including 29-12 as a sophomore with 14 pins, and he added an Allegheny Mountain League championship at 127 pounds and fifth-place finish at the D9 2A tourney.

Senior Alex Marfink had 18 wins as a junior, and he added two wins at the District 9 AA Championships a season ago.

“Our big loss last year with graduation was Trenton Mead and Chase Kyler,” said Coach Holden. “I am looking for Hayden Holden to have a great season as a junior. I’m also looking for good things from seniors Alex Marfink and Bryden Letendre, and if junior Zack Barnes can clean up mistakes from a year ago, I could see him having a great season also.

“Overall, we have a very young team,” added Holden, which includes freshmen Jayla Woofyer (106 pounds), Jennell Winters (114), and Garrett Copley (121), Letendre (127), Holden (133), sophomore Michael Knapp (139), freshman Travis Childress (145), Marfink and sophomore James Wagner (both at 152), Barnes and freshman Yonis Mustafa (both at 160), freshmen Patrick Lewis, Nevaeh Blake and LeMount Hite (172), freshman Joby Hilyer (189) and freshman Starla Robertson (215).

“Our initial goal is to get better every week, both individually and as a team,” said Coach Holden. “I’d like to see us have a winning record, and have multiple wrestlers advance to the Northwest Regionals.

“Every season is special, and I hope that our Wolverine wrestling family stays intact,” he said. “All of our communities need their schools and these kids need their communities. Countless kids would be left behind and not be able to be a part of after-school activities if it moves out of the communities.”

The coaching staff includes Jimmy Holden, junior high head coach, and Cooper Traister, varsity assistant coach.

“Both are instrumental in helping our program grow,” said Holden. “Our co-op coaches from Abraxas are Sam Knapp, Delson Hillard, and Kevin Smeil; they are instrumental in keeping our co-op with Abraxas viable, giving us an opportunity to change lives not only for our own students, but for theirs. This is truly a life-changing sport.”

Tuesday, Dec. 3: Coudersport

Tuesday, Dec. 10: at Ridgway

Tuesday, Dec. 17: Bradford

Tuesday, Jan. 7: at Oswayo Valley

Thursday, Jan. 16: at Punxsutawney

Wednesday, Jan. 29: at Eisenhower

Tuesday, Feb. 4: at Port Allegany

Thursday, Feb. 6: Youngsville

Saturday, Feb. 8: AML Championships at Bradford High School

Friday/Saturday, Feb. 21/22: D9 AA Championships at Clarion University

Friday, Feb. 28-Saturday, March 1: Northwest AA Regionals at Sharon High School

March 6-8: PIAA AA Championships at Giant Center, Hershey