SOLON — As the Solon Spartans wrestling team prepares to hit the mats for the 2024-25 season, Head Coach Aaron Hadenfeldt and his staff are gearing up for what promises to be another exciting year. Entering his 10th season with the Solon program, Hadenfeldt is focused on building upon the program’s tradition of success. While he humbly admits he doesn’t know his exact record as a coach, the consistent excellence of his teams over the years speaks for itself.
“We’ve had some success during my time here,” Hadenfeldt said, emphasizing the team’s strong foundation and the opportunities ahead.
A strong and experienced coaching staff
An impressive coaching staff of experienced wrestlers and former collegiate athletes leads the Spartans. Hadenfeldt is joined by assistant coaches JJ Cooper, Jacob Feuerbach, TJ Bevans (a Solon alum), Matt Kidwell (also an alum), Jeremy Burke, Ryan Schott, and Ryan Osgood, along with Blake Williams, a former Solon coach. This veteran group brings a wealth of knowledge to the team, many of whom have competed at the collegiate level.
“The expertise of our coaching staff is a huge asset to our program,” Hadenfeldt said. “These guys have seen it all and know how to prepare our athletes for the highest level of competition.”
Returning talent sets high expectations
The Spartans return 11 of their 14 starters from last year, making them a team to watch this season. Senior Jordan Schmidt, who placed 5th at the state tournament last year, leads the returning group. State qualifiers Charlie Karam, Jackson Feuerbach, and Lucas Feuerbach also return, bringing valuable postseason experience to this lineup.
“We’re excited about what this group can do,” Hadenfeldt said. “But a lot depends on staying healthy and seeing how the football players transition to wrestling after their season ends.”
Opportunities for new faces
While the team has a solid core of returners, Hadenfeldt is also optimistic about the potential impact of newcomers and wrestlers stepping into starting roles for the first time.
“One of the unique things about wrestling is that weight classes and competition can change everything,” Hadenfeldt said. “We’ve had some guys sitting behind strong wrestlers in past years, and now it’s their time to step up.I’m looking forward to seeing who earns their spot.”
In addition to returners, the Spartans boast a talented first-year class, albeit small in numbers. Hadenfeldt believes this group has the potential to make meaningful contributions to the program this year.
Leadership will be a key
While the team’s depth and talent are undeniable, Hadenfeldt emphasized that leadership and work ethic determine how far this group can go.
“If we don’t have the right leadership in our room, this team will not reach its potential,” Hadenfeldt said. “How we approach practice and how leaders step up will be big indicators of how good we can be.”
The challenge of the WaMaC conference
As always, Solon’s schedule is demanding, thanks mainly to the strength of the WaMaC Conference, widely regarded as the most challenging wrestling conference in the state. “In the WaMaC East alone, there are four teams ranked in the top ten and a few more from the other side,” Hadenfeldt said. “Our guys will be tested weekly before we even get to the postseason.”
Looking ahead
With a mix of experienced returners, promising new- comers, and an elite coaching staff, the Spartans are set up for a competitive season. While challenges remain, including the strength of their conference and the ever-changing dynamics of weight classes, Coach Hadenfeldt and his team are ready to rise to the occasion. Solon fans won’t have to wait long to see the Spartans in action, as the wrestling season is just around the corner. If the team’s depth, talent, and leadership unite, this year’s unit could make another deep run in the postseason.