SEATTLE- The 2023-2024 O'Dea High School wrestling team is gearing up for an exciting season, and at the heart of their journey is head coach Joseph Balinbin ’07. A distinguished alumnus of O'Dea, Balinbin brings a wealth of experience to the team, having been a 4-year starter and letter winner in wrestling during his time as a student. His dedication to the sport continued as he became a faculty member, teaching Theology, English, and Social Studies, and eventually transitioning into an assistant coaching role at O'Dea from winter 2012 through spring 2021.
Coach Balinbin's impact on the team goes beyond the mat. Over the years, he has been instrumental in O'Dea's success, contributing to numerous Metro and Regional Titles and playing a crucial role in the training of multiple state medalists. In recognition of his outstanding coaching abilities, Balinbin earned the Metro League Assistant Coach of the Year and the WIAA Region 1 Assistant Coach of the Year awards in 2017.
Junior wrestler, Adam Kloeppel, saw a lot of promise in last nights meet. "There was a strong performace from the freshman, shows a lot of promise for the future" he states. As well as shouting out his teamate Jonah Martin and his performance.
Zach Schuyler ('25), also had a lot to say about the freshman. Talking about how good they are and how good they are going to be in the future of the program. Schuyler also says, "My expectation is for us to go undefeated as a team in the regular season and hopefully go on to win a metro title".
Janio Molieri ('24), a standout on the team with a current record of 5-5 in 10 matches, speaks highly of Coach Balinbin and the assistant coaching staff, including Coach Lopez and Coach Beckstead. Molieri emphasizes the team's collective determination to improve daily, acknowledging the diverse range of experience among the members. Molieri, expresses the need to reacquaint himself with the demands of wrestling, focusing on regaining stamina. Despite a diverse range of experience among teammates, Molieri sees continuous improvement and envisions a strong chance to secure the coveted Metro title with a healthy roster. His personal aspirations include reaching regionals and ultimately making it to the state-level competition. Molieri commends Head Coach Balinbin and assistant coaches Lopez and Beckstead for their invaluable guidance, solidifying the team's commitment to success. With these determined athletes and skilled coaches working in tandem, O'Dea High School's wrestling team anticipates an exhilarating season filled with growth, camaraderie, and the pursuit of championship victories.
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