True freshmen heavyweights, Zack Parker and Jesse Webb, compete to replace former All-American and earn a starting position.
It’s a challenge to replace an All-American and a near impossible feat to replace a leader in the locker room, but it’s a reality that the Bobcats face this year.
Ohio will look to replace former All-American and MAC champion, Jeremy Johnson, after he graduated this past year. Johnson now serves as a graduate assistant on the coaching staff, but coach Joel Greenlee makes it clear that Johnson’s hard work will be as a heavyweight in the team’s starting lineup.
“He came in as a true freshman and really made an impact, even though he redshirted that year,” Greenlee said. “He made an impact on the guy we had. Made that guy better, made that guy work harder. The following year, he wrestled, ran, lifted and trained like he had a burning desire to be an All-American. He went to the tournament and actually won matches. The following year, he was an All-American. So, two out of his four years, he was an All-American.
“Basically, what you lose is a guy who was willing to put forth 110 percent every day.”
Greenlee’s plan to replace Johnson in the starting lineup is to do so “by committee,” specifically by using true freshmen Zack Parker and Jesse Webb. Greenlee remembers just a few times in his 17-year coaching career that he had to use freshmen to replace an established veteran, but he has no qualms about doing so this year.
“They were the best of the best of high school seniors,” Greenlee said. “Webb was second in high school nationals in Fargo and Parker was third in high school nationals.”
Even if their coach does have the utmost confidence in them, Webb and Parker do undoubtedly have some big shoes to fill. Luckily for the both of them, they’ve received guidance from Johnson himself early on this season, which they both have noted has been a huge help.
The two will be taking his spot in the lineup, but they’ll be the first to tell you that they’re not looking to replace his demeanor in any way.
“Jeremy has been working with me a lot,” Parker said. “I’ve been trying to do my best to not replace him, but just kind of fill in the spot on the team and compete in the MAC. But, he’s been excellent. He’s been willing to work with me and put in the extra time for me too.”
Webb echoes Parker’s sentiments, saying that he admires Johnson as a role model and as someone he looks up to.
“When you think of your goals, become an All-American, win a MAC championship, he’s done that,” Webb said. “Everything that comes out of his mouth leads you in the right direction. You definitely pay attention to every thing he says closely.”
Greenlee’s plan for the season is to rotate the two, as he believes that there are some matchups better suited for Webb and some matchups better suited for Parker. The two went head-to-head at the Green & White Meet, with Parker emerging victorious, but they won’t look too much into that result.
In the Michigan State Open earlier this month, they both competed in the freshman/sophomore division of the tournament. Parker won four of his five matches, finishing third in the 285-pound weight class. Webb won three of his five matches, finishing eighth in the 285 class.
At the most recent Navy Classic, they both competed in the 285 class bracket. Webb lost his opening match in the first round and then lost his opening match in the consolation bracket. Parker received a bye in the first round and eventually landed in the quarterfinals before falling to Riley Shaw of Cleveland State.
With the two of them going head-to-head literally and figuratively, there is a budding rivalry of sorts forming between the two. They both note that they’re good friends off the mat, but when it comes time to wrestle, it’s strictly business between the two.
The competition between the two freshmen to replace the former All-American will continue this weekend as the Bobcats begin their dual portion of the season and head to Boone, North Carolina to face Appalachian State. Greenlee will have to make his decision of who to start at 285 in the starting lineup.
“There are guys I think that Webb can beat, that maybe Parker won’t,” Greenlee said. “There are guys that Parker will beat, that maybe Webb won’t. It’s our job to figure out what those guys are and put the right guy out there at the right time.”
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