The Marian Catholic boys wrestling team enters the 2024-2025 season with a strong mix of experienced upperclassmen and rising stars, all looking to make their mark on the mat. Under the leadership of Head Coach Dan Jordan, the team is focused on improving from last year and chasing greater success.
Adrian Esparza, a junior who has been wrestling since the age of seven, has set his sights on a lofty goal: becoming a state champion.
“My personal goal this year is to be a state champ,” Esparza said. “I have gotten better every year, so this year I will be better than I was last year.”
Esparza’s ambition is a driving force for the team, and his commitment to continuous improvement has earned him recognition as one of the team’s leaders.
Chase Tankson, a senior, is another key member of the team. Tankson began wrestling in his sophomore year at Marian Catholic and has steadily improved ever since. This season, he will compete in the 126-pound weight class, moving up from the 120-pound category he wrestled in last year.
“I’m excited for the challenge this year,” Tankson said. “I’ve put in the work, and I’m ready to take it to the next level.”
Jonah Greenwood, a senior, brings a never-quit attitude to the team. Although he began wrestling only in his freshman year, Greenwood has quickly made a name for himself with his relentless work ethic.
“I look up to guys like Joey Baranski,” he said, referencing his teammate who has been a cornerstone of the team for years. “I never stop, and that’s what keeps me going.”
Baranski, a senior, has been wrestling since he was a child and comes from a family with deep wrestling roots. Competing in the 165-pound weight class, Baranski’s experience is invaluable to the team. Despite an injury that sidelined him during the 2023-2024 season, Baranski has qualified for the state tournament every year in high school—except for his junior year, when the injury kept him out.
“I’m healthy this year, and I’m ready to get back out there and give it my all,” Baranski said.
Head coach Dan Jordan, now in his 15th year at Marian Catholic, is optimistic about the team’s potential.
“We’ve got a great group of guys who are hungry to improve,” Jordan said. “With the leadership of our seniors like Joey and Chase, and the ambition of Adrian and Jonah, I think this team can accomplish some great things this season.”
As the team prepares for the upcoming season, the wrestlers are focused on one goal: to build on the successes of the past and make their mark in the state tournament. With a mix of experience, determination, and talent, Marian Catholic’s wrestling team looks poised for another exciting year.