Olmsted Falls has a proud wrestling tradition, marked by dedicated coaches, talented athletes, and significant achievements. From individual accolades to team success, the program has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence.
Jake Percival: A Hall of Fame Wrestler
Olmsted Falls Intermediate School physical education teacher Jake Percival recently pinned down quite an achievement. The former Ohio University wrestler was inducted into Mid-American Conference (MAC) Hall of Fame. It’s just a great honor to be among all the great athletes in the Mid-American Conference,” said Percival, a 2000 Amherst High School graduate. Everybody in Olmsted Falls, the teachers, the students and the parents have all said congratulations.
The Amherst resident said the notion of being inducted into the MAC Hall Of Fame was never on his mind. “It was a nice surprise to get that call,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting it at all. I didn’t know anything about it. I was very surprised, and I couldn’t believe it.”
Initially wrestling at 149 pounds before later moving up to 157 pounds, Percival wrestled for Ohio University from 2002 through 2005. The first four-time All-American in MAC history, the Bobcat finished his college career with a 113-4 regular season record. He was undefeated in MAC duals. In the postseason, Percival posted a 29-6 overall record, highlighted by an 11-0 MAC Championships run with four MAC Championships first-place titles and 18-6 record at the NCAA Championships, where he placed four times. The 2025 MAC Hall of Fame class induction ceremony was recently held in downtown Cleveland.
While Percival previously assisted the Olmsted Falls wrestling program by coaching, the proud dad now says his focus is on helping out his boys and enjoying their youth.
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As for what he hopes people take away from his hall of fame story, that’s simple. “Being a physical education teacher, I talk in class about setting and achieving your goals,” he said. “I hope this just resonates more with the kids. If anything comes of it, just set your goals high.”
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Bill McGrain: A Coaching Legend
Bill McGrain was an English and social studies teacher at Olmsted Falls High School and served as its head wrestling coach for 27 years (1985-2012). During his tenure, McGrain amassed 350 career wins.
In addition to his 350 career wins, McGrain has coached eight individual state champions and is one of three coaches in Ohio wrestling history to coach a state champion in all three divisions.
McGrain was elected to the Ohio Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2006, the Waynedale High School Hall of Fame in 2014 and was named the Ohio Division II Coach of the Year in 1997. As a wrestler himself, McGrain was an NCAA qualifier at Ashland University and a member of the Junior National team. He was awarded the Ashland Iron Man Award on two occasions.
McGrain is a member of the Ohio Wrestling Coaches Association (OHSWCA) NEO District, Greater Cleveland Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association (GCWCOA), National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA), National High School Wrestling Coaches Association (NHSWCA) and the Greater Cleveland Officials Association (GCOA).
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“The support I have had from my wife Tracey has enabled me to be a head coach for 30 years,” McGrain added. Mrs. McGrain hopes to remain involved in the program in some capacity.
McGrain added, “Thanks to the many of you who have supported me and Olmsted Falls wrestling throughout the years."
“Coach McGrain has truly personified the Bulldog tradition of excellence during his exceptional career here in Olmsted Falls,” said Superintendent Dr. “I want to personally thank Bill for all that he has done for our student athletes and the wrestling program,” added Dr.
Olmsted Falls High School Principal Dr. Bob Hill stated, “Bill had a tremendously successful coaching career at Olmsted Falls High School. For the past 27 years, his knowledge and passion for wrestling have contributed to his many successes and the successes of his athletes. Bill helped mold successful athletes through an unwavering work ethic and by surrounding himself with quality coaches, many of whom wrestled for him at OFHS. Sending athletes to the state competition 24 of his 27 years as head coach defines the success he infused into our wrestling program.
McGrain and his wife, Tracey, reside in Valley City and the couple have two children, Zach and Chaz.
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Individual Achievements
Several Olmsted Falls wrestlers have achieved significant individual success, earning recognition at the state level:
- Noel Caraballo: A solid wrestler throughout his time at Olmsted Falls, Caraballo put together a senior year for the ages in 2016. Not only did he finish the regular season undefeated in the regular season at 220-pounds, but he also an SWC title before ending the season as a state qualifier. A state runner-up in 2015, Caraballo finished his career with 153 wins.
BFS Program and Athletic Success
The Bulldogs utilized the Bigger Faster Stronger (BFS) program to enhance their athletes' performance. Head Coach Jim Ryan was first intrigued by BFS when he heard Coach Anderson speak in 1989. This led to a BFS presentation by clinician Jim Brown in 1990. After implementing the program, the Bulldogs went to the state playoffs in 1995 and 1996.
Pleased with this success but eager to move beyond the first round of the playoffs, Dave Godfray, our weight-room coordinator, brought BFS clinician Bob Doyle to Olmsted Falls in 1998.
After Coach Doyle's spirited reintroduction of the BFS principles, our players rededicated their efforts. They lifted on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and did plyometrics and sprinting on Tuesday and Thursday. A core group of our athletes began to attend religiously, subscribing to Coach Doyle's message of don't let the chains hold you back.
Although we narrowly missed the play-offs with a 7-3 record in the 1998 season, the BFS program continued to pay off. The athletes who had committed themselves to the BFS program were some of our best players. As they continued to improve their strength, our weight room became an exciting place. Heads would turn at the sight of 500 pounds on a bar and more of our players became committed to the BFS system.
The 1999 season found us with our biggest and fastest team ever. We finished the regular season at 9-1 and beat perennial power Lake Catholic 42-7 in the first round of the play-offs. Although we lost a hard-fought game to eventual state-champion Walsh Jesuit the next week, our players now felt that we were at the next level. With the help of BFS, even the private school powers were within our reach.
The 2000 season began with many question marks. Could we fill the holes left by the graduation of 12 starters from our team with the help of BFS. Our tremendous 2000 season brought more players into our conditioning program than ever. Athletes involved in Winter and Summer sports committed themselves to finding ways to get in the weight room. As a result, at the opening of two-a-days we found many vastly improved athletes. Players that we had felt would not be ready for varsity play soon proved that they were ready to excel.
The Bulldogs finished the regular season at 9-1 again in 2000. As the play-offs began, our commitment to continuing the BFS in-season program paid off. We were healthy and our kids just kept getting better. After an early playoff victory, all-state 2nd team DB and senior captain Dan Kost summed up the team's attitude by telling a reporter that, they were just a bunch of tough kids playing together.
By the time the team gathered at Tiger stadium for the state championship, they felt that they had already earned it. The dedication to BFS principles had given them the confidence that they could physically handle their opponent.
It had also given them the ability to do so. Underneath the spattering December sky, Olmsted Falls shut out a powerful Piqua team while allowing only 99 total yards.
As one of the smallest Division II schools in Ohio, we needed all of our players to be their best. The BFS program allowed us to do that by making a world class program that fit into the time constraints imposed by school and other sports. When BFS clinician Bob Doyle rattled off the impressive list of BFS champions during his 1998 visit, we listened with many doubts. Today, he would be preaching to the choir.
The BFS program also benefits us in some less obvious ways. Head Coach, Jim Ryan, encourages our players to go out for other sports. His profound belief that any time an athlete is put into a competitive environment he will make himself a better total athlete, has been a major factor in our success. On the 2000 championship team, all but three of our starting spots were filled by multi-sport athletes. We do not feel that our players would be so comfortable playing multiple sports if they did not feel that they could improve in the weight room at the same time. The BFS program allows them to do this.
This year's District Championship Wrestling Team was loaded with football players. Kenny Jones (171), Andy Blomquist (189), and Jamal Bryant (HVY) brought home individual district championships. Our basketball team fought its way into the sweet sixteen with our championship quarterback, Joe Stanton, as their second leading scorer. This year's baseball team will challenge for conference and regional honors with DE Todd Stefanini, CB Dan Kost, DT Andy Blomquist, OT Matt Paradise, and WR Bob Binggeli. Our track and field team is loaded with football players. Kenny Jones (All-State in football and wrestling) toys with 15' in the pole vault and is a valued hurdler and long jumper. Our shot and discus team is led by OT Steve Hulec. Sprinters and hurdlers WR Nick Weeden, WR Andy Jocke, and DE Shaun Wehe provided valuable depth in both sports.
BFS also provided opportunities for players who could not have otherwise measured up to the challenges. Senior, Matt Paradise, stepped off of the special teams and into the starting line up as a 180-pound tackle. Although severely undersized, his great off-season work habits helped him to fill the bill.
The championship run would not have been possible without avoiding the injury bug. We lost only one player for the season and that was an unpredictable injury. Starting tackle and National Honor Society member, Russ Mahoney, bruised an intestine that required surgery. Our only other serious injury came when all-state 1st team center and wrestler Justin Funk injured his knee in the second quarter of the state championship game. He played the rest of the game without an ACL, refusing tape, brace, or medication. That is amazing. That is Bulldog attitude.
There is something intangible about a team that works together in the weight room throughout the year. The constant support that they receive from each other as they strive to become their personal best builds tremendous esprit de corps. They become a team in the truest sense of the word and epitomize the bulldog philosophy that was so well stated by Casey Stengle, It is amazing what can be accomplished if no one worries about who gets the credit.
After our successful 1999 season, one of our major concerns was rebuilding the secondary. In our post-season staff meetings, an athlete whose name was only occasionally mentioned was Pat Curran. As a sophomore, Pat had displayed varsity level ball skills and instincts, but at 145 pounds and with a 5.2 forty time, we didnt feel he could play at the varsity level. Pats off-season commitment to the BFS program changed these numbers to 165 pounds and 4.6 by the beginning of two-a-days in August, 2000.
Strongman Totals
The following table shows the strongman totals for Olmsted Falls football players:
| Player | Year | Parallel Squat+Bench+Power Clean |
|---|---|---|
| Jeff Faris | 2000 | 1340 lbs. |
| Jamal Bryant | 2000 | 1295 lbs. |
| Andy Post | 1996 | 1085 lbs. |
| Kenny Jones | 2000 | 1075 lbs. |
| John Kobalka | 1992 | 1055 lbs. |
| Shane Formica | 1996 | 1040 lbs. |
| Rich Cottom | 1980 | 1035 lbs. |
| Guy Decker | 1988 | 1030 lbs. |
| Mike Plezia | 2000 | 1030 lbs. |
| Joe Swislocki | 1998 | 1005 lbs. |
| Mike Miller | 1994 | 985 lbs. |
| Trevor Siewnarine | 1998 | 965 lbs. |
| Pat McSweeney | 1996 | 960 lbs. |
| Vince Karwatsky | 1991 | 945 lbs. |
| Steve Hulec | 2000 | 930 lbs. |