HHS wrestling team has backbone
Staff writer
Practice for the 2004-05 wrestling season is well underway, and the team is getting ready for its first dual at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 9 in Marion. Head coach Scott O'Hare says the team has some strength and he expects them to get better as the season continues.
"I certainly expect us to get better and be competitive," said O'Hare. "I've got a good core of juniors returning that are going to be the backbone of the team."
O'Hare has 24 wrestlers this year, including nine freshman and two seniors. Juniors Eric Cress and Ricky Johnson were state qualifiers, and Ryan Kaiser finished second in the league last year.
Also returning are juniors Andrew Bina and Kurtis Shaw.
"They placed in a variety of tournaments last year, and I'm looking for good things from them," said O'Hare.
Junior Ben Schaefer is returning after taking his sophomore year off. O'Hare says he's looking good in practice.
The squad also has two junior transfer students, Matt Brown and Chris Jensen.
"They're a couple of upperclassmen that could really help us out," said O'Hare.
Although the team didn't lose many wrestlers in terms of numbers, O'Hare says they lost quite a bit in terms of experience. He hopes for the team to continue to develop and add to the upperclassmen's experience.
"I think my numbers will help me out. It will help me fill my weight classes," said O'Hare.
In the league, O'Hare expects Lyons and Marion to be two of the toughest competitors. But by year's end, he expects HHS to be very competitive and for some of the juniors and seniors to go to state.
According to O'Hare, making sure there are no injuries is key. "Being competitive depends on staying healthy and getting kids moved into weight classes that are best for them and the team."
The squad will compete in a dual on Dec. 9, a tournament in Hesston on Dec. 11, a dual in Lindsborg on Dec. 16, and a tournament and dual on Dec. 18 and Jan. 6 in Hillsboro.
