03/02/2026
Redmen Send Six to Districts as Leonard’s First Season Builds Momentum in Fostoria Wrestling
FOSTORIA — The foundation is set, the culture is shifting, and the results are following.
In his first season at the helm, Fostoria head coach Zach Leonard guided the Redmen to eight sectional placers, six district qualifiers and one alternate — matching last year’s total while signaling steady growth inside the program
“We keep developing guys,” Leonard said. “We’re not where we want to be yet, but we have a bright future.”
The message from the coaching staff — Leonard alongside longtime assistant Rob Hernandez — has been consistent since November.
“Our ultimate goal for the season — get down to state, place at state,” Leonard said.
Now, the Redmen will get that opportunity at districts.
District Qualifiers
Fostoria’s district representatives include:
120: Aiden Holcombe, Fr. (5th, alternate) – 7-21
126: Huelett North, Jr. (4th) – 12-9
144: Barrett Hernandez, Jr. (4th) – 23-8
150: Anthony Kleinmark, Jr. (2nd) – 34-6
165: Silas Raney, Sr. (2nd) – 30-9
215: Cyrus Flores, Sr. (3rd) – 12-7
285: Blake Hernandez, Sr. (4th) – 17-12
For junior Anthony Kleinmark, last season’s early exit at districts still lingers.
“Definitely don’t want to end it the same as last year,” Kleinmark said. “Last year went to districts, left a bad taste in my mouth. So I want to go to districts and get on the podium and just improve.”
Kleinmark credited his offseason transformation to one simple adjustment.
“Just mainly hitting the weight room,” he said
At 126 pounds, Huelett North returns to districts for the second time, this time with experience on his side. After going 0-2 as a sophomore, the junior has a clear objective.
“Got to go to state, can’t give up anything at all,” North said
North also had a message for younger teammates watching the upperclassmen lead the way.
“These are the last four years of high school,” he said. “You might as well make the best of what you can, because if you don’t, you’ll regret it in the future.”
The Hernandez name has become synonymous with Fostoria wrestling.
Senior heavyweight Blake Hernandez qualified for districts in his final season, competing alongside his younger brother Barrett — a junior at 144 pounds — while their father, Rob Hernandez, remains on staff.
“It’s good seeing the younger guys improve knowing that when I leave there’s still gonna be a bright future,” Blake said
Barrett, now a three-time district qualifier, is focused on taking the next step.
“Just got to do better than I did last time and hopefully I can make it to the state tournament,” Barrett said
The built-in competition between brothers has helped fuel both wrestlers’ development.
“Definitely,” Blake said when asked if pushing each other made a difference
For senior Cyrus Flores, a first-time district qualifier, the accomplishment is about enjoying the moment.
“Have fun with it,” Flores said. “That’s all I do now.”
After years of multi-sport participation and offseason dedication, Raney said the coaching staff helped push him beyond his limits.
“They pushed me to the limits that I didn’t think I had,” he said
Perhaps the most unexpected story belongs to freshman Aiden Holcombe.
Competing in his first organized sport, Holcombe qualified as a district alternate and admitted he never envisioned himself in this position.
“I never thought I would be doing this at all,” Holcombe said
He plans to stay with the program through graduation
Leonard said the improvement has been noticeable, particularly in the offseason commitment.
“We’re trying to change the culture and have a winning program,” he said
Senior 165-pound district qualifier Silas Raney has quietly put together one of the strongest seasons of his career. With postseason competition ahead, the veteran wrestler is locked in on continuing his momentum.
Q: What did you do during this season to prepare yourself for districts?
Raney: “I have been training diligently in the wrestling room, working to refine and perfect my technique at every opportunity.”
Q: What’s your senior season been like?
Raney: “My senior season has been very successful so far. It has been one of my best seasons, and I am looking forward to finishing strong at state.”
Q: What’s going through your mind as you prepare for districts?
Raney: “I am focused on putting in as much work as possible, continuing to develop my technique, and maintaining my health throughout the postseason.”
Raney enters districts with confidence and a clear mindset — refine, stay healthy and push toward Columbus in his final run as a Redman.
With six district qualifiers, veteran leadership and underclassmen gaining valuable postseason experience, Fostoria continues trending upward.
The Redmen’s message entering districts is simple — trust the work, compete with confidence and keep building toward Columbus.
