The Iola and Humboldt High wrestling teams are hitting the mats to begin their season this week.
Both schools sent wrestlers to the state tournament last season and remain the only two schools with wrestling programs around the Allen County area.
Iola
The Mustangs’ Jason Bates has been at the head of the program for a number of years and has seen all sorts of wrestling come through the school.
A highlight in this year’s squad is a deep roster that features several athletes in the same weight classes.
That depth provides athletes with competitive matchups during practice, Bates said.
“We have quite a few wrestlers who are around the same weight which is beneficial to us because it allows the athletes to have several practice partners,” said Bates.
One drawback is that the Mustangs don’t have enough wrestlers to fill all of the weight classes at a standard meet. Every time a team can’t field a wrestler in a certain weight class, the other team earns points.
Some of the Mustang leaders this season will be Wyatt Westervelt, Korbin Cloud, Xander Sellman and Trapper Boren. Most were either state placers or state qualifiers a year ago and will help lead this year’s Mustang squad.
“I really want them to hold the team accountable,” Bates said. “We need leaders who aren’t afraid to speak up against behaviors. With wrestling being a one-on-one sport, it builds mental strength, confidence and a good work ethic. There are so many life lessons to it.”
Bates and a cluster of wrestlers meet most mornings to work out in the gym to get their bodies prepared for the beating they could take on the mats.
Bates believes a good practice must mimic what competition is going to look like in a meet.
As to how they’ll fare competitively, Bates said, “It really depends on how hard they work. I know they’ve been putting in the time. We do have quite a few inexperienced wrestlers and it’s a big learning curve from middle school to high school.
“I think their attitudes are right. We have to have an attitude that we’re going to work hard and outwork our opponents.”
The Mustangs begin their season with the Wildcat Duals at Burlington on Friday at 3:15 p.m.
