Faith Christian freshman Joe Bachmann was recently ranked the top wrestler in the country in his 106-pound weight class by SB Live and MatScout.
Wrestling since their early youth, Bachmann and younger brother Fred both won titles in the national elite Super 32 championships earlier this summer.
In most wrestling programs, the older Bachmann would receive plenty of fanfare about his potential contributions ahead.
At Faith Christian, Bachmann is just another grappler in one of the state’s and country’s more highly regarded lineups. The Lions recently began the season as defending Class 2A state team champions and Gauge Botero and Adam Waters as the school’s first state individual champions.
Over the past three years, Faith Christian has evolved into building its base with young wrestlers from its youth program. As freshmen, Mason Wagner, Jason Singer, Cael Weidemoyer, Kole Davidheiser and Arment Waltenbaugh all received medals on the state stage last season. Current junior Chase Hontz was also third at states.
The Lions didn’t lose a starter from last year, and they have developed enough depth in which head coach Ben Clymer can have two teams in practice.
“The guys got a taste last season on how elite they are,” Clymer said. “Last year, maybe, it was a lot to handle. Now they’re a year older and have had a year to digest all of that.
“We have a lot of depth, but these guys realize the competition to get to their spot. They respect each other and are all working together for one common cause.”
Bachmann is the latest of head coach Ben Clymer’s list of wrestling prodigies whose youth doesn’t stand in his way. He currently is 6-0 and won his weight class at the Walsh Ironman in Ohio – where the team finished seventh of 126 teams – when he decisioned Wyoming Seminary’s Shamus Regan, who is on Bachmann’s heels for the top spot in the country.
Bachman said he doesn’t feel pressure at all, noting that he trains very hard.
“There is a very cool atmosphere in the high school, and we all have a fun time. We are growing in friendship with each other and God,” he added.
The Lions have once again infused their schedule with perennial powers and annual top-tier tournaments.
Faith Christian has dual meets ahead with Ponaganset (Rhode Island) and St. Mary’s (Ryken, Md.), along with entries in the state’s Escape the Rock, Rage in the Cage, and Coal Cracker Invitational, along with Delaware’s Beast of the East.
With major tournaments already under their belt and meetings with Wyoming Seminary – regarded as one of the nation’s best teams – and Central Bucks West, Clymer has relished the early challenges. The Lions have been hit with some injuries including Botero and Waltenbaugh, who both should return to the lineup soon.
“The season has been a ton of fun so far,” Clymer said. “The guys are competing against the best teams in the nation. They are on a big stage and are learning what they need to install to turn the corner and beat the best.
“The sky’s the limit with this bunch. I can’t wait to continue working toward the postseason with them.”
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