Stephenson to lead Waynesburg wrestling program
Bob Stephenson loves Waynesburg, and he loves wrestling.
It is safe to say Stephenson loves Waynesburg wrestling, which is why he decided to accept the position as head coach of the Raiders’ high school program.
Waynesburg’s search for a new head wrestling coach started last April when Kyle Szewczyk resigned to spend more time with his family and watch his son, Ky, wrestle in college.
Eric McKay was hired Aug. 20 to replace Szewczyk, but because of a new job that conflicted with the wrestling schedule, he had to resign, which left the position open.
Stephenson, who is the principal at Waynesburg Central High School, was asked to consider the position, and was officially hired at the Oct. 15 school board meeting.
“Our school needed someone,” Stephenson said. “My youngest boy (Jake Stephenson) is on the team, and I am also on the WPIAL wrestling committee, so I know all about the sport and the program. I love the sport and want to help our school. As the high school principal, I see these kids every day at school, which will help out.”
Stephenson wrestled for the Raiders and was an assistant on John Yates’ coaching staff in the early 2000s, which featured some of the best wrestlers to come out of not only the WPIAL and state, but the country and world. He also coached two years at Waynesburg University and ran the youth program for seven years before leading the junior high program for six seasons.
“I was fortunate to be on Coach Yates’ staff with some of the best wrestling this program has had, and the tradition is so strong,” Stephenson said. “I was coaching guys like Drew Headlee and Coleman Scott. I went to the youth program when my kids came through, and then back to the junior high team.”
Waynesburg is coming off one of its toughest seasons for a program that is not used to losing, but many of the Raiders’ setbacks in dual meets were because of forfeits and not having enough wrestlers to fill a lineup, which is a must in Class 3A.
Waynesburg’s enrollment would allow the team to compete in Class 2A, but that is not something the Raiders anticipate doing any time soon.
“We had a nice run there up until last season, but all those guys have pretty much graduated,” Stephenson said. “We are in a little bit of a rebuilding mode now, but the youth program is really gung ho and making strides. We do have two returning state qualifiers in Roan Tustin and Brock Evans.
“We’ve had some open mats, and have averaged about 13 wrestlers. Some of the guys, including my son, are football players, so we will have to wait and see when they can get back on the mat. We definitely want the football team to continue to play well.”
The Raiders will not shy away from tough competition, as the Powerade Tournament is still on the schedule, the Kiski Area Cavalier Duals and a section that includes WPIAL Class 3A runner-up Trinity, Canon-McMillan, Chartiers Valley and South Fayette.
“We aren’t afraid to tackle that tough competition,” Stephenson said. “We will go, put our toe on the line and be ready to give it our all.”