The Middletown High School North Lions are looking to build on a strong 2023-24 season, in which the Lions surpassed 20 dual wins and had their first State medal winner since the 2020 season with Brady Klinsky earning a 6th-place medal in Atlantic City. The Lions lost Klinsky to graduation, but  this year’s team is led by seven returning District medal winnerswho will look to lead the Lions further this season.

Coach Eric Morley will lean on these returning starters along with some first time starters being inserted into the lineup as well. There are five starters returning, all of who won medals at the Districts last year, to work those newcomers into the lineup around. Seniors Jacob Portman and Justin Fearon have a combined five District medals, while Portman was the District 18 champion at 126 last season, and was a 3rd-place finisher at Districts in 2023. Fearon finished in 3rd in each of his first two seasons and was a runner-up last year. He advanced to the State Tournament during his freshman season after taking 4th at Regions. The senior duo both have a shot at hitting 100 career wins with Portman needing 27 and Fearon needing 32.

Juniors Shane Myiow and Tyler Oden each won their first District medals last year, with both coming in 3rd at the tourney, while Thomas Blewett also medaled during his rookie season, finishing 2nd at 106. Blewett loos to be back at 106 for this season, but will probably see some time up at 113 as well as head coach Eric Morley inserts the newcomers to the lineup.

Up top, Daniel Benbrook is coming off a great sophomore season. The junior hit the 30-wins mark, won the District 18 title at 175, and finished 6th at Regions, just missing on a trip to Atlantic City. He has the ability to continue to develop into one of the better upperweights in the Shore. Also back up top for North is senior heavyweight Michael Dwyer, a District runner-up in 2024, who enters his third season in the starting lineup. Along with senior Connor McCarthy and juniors Nico Cordova and Jake Schettino, it gives the Lions an experienced group capable of putting together a big year up for North.

Original Story via Shore Conference Wrestling