Clinton-Massie has finished second in the SBAAC Wrestling Championship in each of the past three seasons.

The Falcons, 23-9 last season, were second to Wilmington in 2020, second to Blanchester in 2019 and second to Western Brown in 2018.

With that in mind, Clinton-Massie won the American Division championship in 2019.

League champions in 2021 for Spencer Running’s Falcons were Braden Rolf, Colton Doyle and Joe Baughman. Rolf is the top returning wrestler as he qualified for state last season.

Clinton-Massie deals with early season issues of not having the wrestlers out who are still playing football as has been the case for as long as we can remember.

Running’s coaching staff includes James Moorman, high school assistant; Russ Fromling, junior high head coach; and Justin Jett, junior high assistant.

In this 10th year as head coach, Running welcomes 12 returning starters to a loaded team. Only Colton Doyle, a three-time state qualifier; and Joe Baughman, are not back for the Falcons.

“We have a solid senior class with a lot of underclassmen talent,” Running said.

Those seniors and the newcomers need to develop consistency to achieve success, Running said.

Running said his team should be one of the contenders for the always-tough SBAAC Wrestling Championship.

“Wilmington did a great job last year (at the league tournament) and we need to be able to match that pace,” said Running.