Wrestlers Have High Expectations for Season

Winner Area wrestling team will open the season on Dec. 5 when they attend the Kimball tournament.

Winner wrestling coach Matt Chambers says, “I like this meet. It is smaller but a good way to get the season started and get some matches under our belt.”  The coach also likes the fact that right away Winner will see some of the teams from the region. “It will be good to see teams who will be competitive in our region and it also lets us know where we stand,” said Chambers.

The returning lettermen are Damien Bingen, 170; Cohl Turnquist, 182-195; Colby Curtis, 120; Jayden Schroeder, 195; Wyatt Turnquist, 103; Taylor Watzel, 152; Cameron Biggins, 126; Tristan Watzel, 138; Kayleb Brozik, 160-170 and Avery Gilchrist, 145-152.  The seniors on the team are Cohl Turnquist, Colby Curtis and Cameron Biggins.  Two Colome freshmen, Riggin Shippy and Jaikob Week are on the team.  Chambers says 8th graders who may see action are Trevor Peters and Landon Debus.  Returning wrestlers who competed at state are Biggins and Brozik.

“We are a team that is not returning a lot of state qualifiers but we return athletes with a lot of experience,” said Chambers. The coach added the team will be relying on that experience and will be led by the three seniors. “They will be the ones to set the tone for season.”  The coach noted he will be looking at juniors Schroeder, Brozik and Gilchrist to provide varsity experience.  “We are going to be a team that is going to take a step forward this year. We have a lot of confidence,” said Chambers.

Practices have been up-tempo bringing that intensity back to the practice room. We need our seniors and other leaders to set that tone.”  Chambers explained in a team meeting the team and coaches talked about the mental preparation and expectations. “We want to get in the right mental mindset to prepare every time we are on the mat and in the practice room,” said Chambers.

Assistant varsity coach is Jayd Schuyler. When the middle school wrestling is finished coaches Spencer Novotny and Daryl LaDeaux will be working with the varsity.