Cougars announce new coaches

When Scott Hivnor got into coaching in 1996, his goal was never to be a head coach.

The timing is right 22 years later, though.

Lake Catholic has announced that Hivnor, a longtime assistant on multiple levels in the program, has taken over the position as head wrestling coach of the Cougars.

He will be joined by new associate head coach Ty Mitch, a threetime state champion at Aurora High School.

The moves were announced on the heels of former head coach Eric Lakia taking a teaching and coaching position at Notre DameCathedral Latin in June.

“I’m very excited,” said Hivnor, a graduate of Oak Harbor High School and former wrestler at John Carroll University. “My goal when I started in 1996 wasn’t to be a head coach. I liked the assistant’s role, being hands on and helping. But as I’ve gotten older and worked with these kids in youth, junior high and now high school, I think the time is right.”

Hivnor has worked with a long list of head wrestling coaches at Lake Catholic, including Tim Armelli, Mike Matteo, Jack Mulhall, Jim Ayers and Lakia. Throughout his career, he has worked with 81 statequalifiers, 59 state-placers and nine state champions.

“(Continuity) is very important,” Hivnor said. “Eric’s entire staff is going to stay on, and we’ve added a couple new pieces as well.”

The biggest “new” piece is Mitch, who comes to Lake Catholic after working as an assistant coach at Brecksville under former Lake Catholic state champ Todd Haverdill. Mitch was not only a three-time state champion under legendary Aurora coach Dick Bliss, but he was also a Junior National Freestyle champion at Fargo.

“I’ve known Ty for years since he was a youth wrestler,” Hivnor said. “Ty has a goal of someday having his own program. We felt this was a great fit to come on as the associate head coach. He is going to have a major impact on our program.”

Lake Catholic also has a wealth of credentials on its returning coaching staff, a list that includes Sean Fee, David Coates, Ian Ross, Matt Fee, Chris McCrone, Dylan Zivcic and Matteo on the high school level. Sayre Wuhr and Ayers lead the youth program, while

Fee and Steve Bagnowski head the junior high program.

Jim Cook, Vic Ventresca and Bobby Kaleal are also on staff.

Lake Catholic athletic director Sam Colacarro is excited about the program’s direction.

“The future is bright and the sky is the limit,” Colacarro said. “We are excited and pleased to have Scott and Ty take over Lake Catholic wrestling and take it to the next level.”

Lake Catholic graduated a strong senior class this past spring, including three-time state champion Kevon Freeman, Hunter Ryan, Luke McKeon, Matt Valentino and Cade Acitelli. However, Conor McCrone and Cole Hivnor — Scott’s son — are coming back as returning state-placers.

Additionally, Nick Coreno, Anthony Trivisonno, Tommy Frazier, Simon Traska, Dakota Ryan, Noah Wray and Kosta Anderson — starters on this year’s Division II state runner-up dual meet team — are back.

“The national championships in Fargo are next week, and we’ll have Cole and Conor competing there,” Hivnor said. “A week later, the AAU freestyle duals are held, and we’ll have Anthony Trivisonno and Tommy Frazier there.

“We’ll shut down the wrestling a little after that and just focus on strength training until school starts.”

SUBMITTED Scott Hivnor, left, has been named the new head wrestling coach at Lake Catholic. One of his top wrestlers will be his son, Cole.