Wrestling Has High Expectations
After finishing the 2021-2022 season with a record of 7-1 in duals, placing in the top four of seven different regular season tournaments, placing third at Regionals, and placing fourth at the 4A State Tournament, Head Coach Chris Saferite stated, “I thought last year we competed well all year and we got better from the start of the season to the end of the season, which is what we are always hoping for. The last two years we have come in a little under the radar and performed well at the end of the year. Hopefully that trend continues and we can improve through the year this year. Every year we have the same expectation, we come in and set some goals and then it is our job to work towards those goals on a daily basis. If we compete with one another every day in the practice room we will be ready to compete against anyone. The expectations are high right now on our wrestling team. We are going into the season ranked #3 as of now. I think we are capable of placing in the top three at the state tournament and I think we have a shot at bringing home a championship. However, the season is long and we have to stay healthy and get the kids to buy into what the team needs.'' The boys currently have 30 wrestlers on the roster while the girls have nine wrestlers on their roster. The boys’ and girls’ teams both have returning state qualifiers and returning state medalists. Coach Saferite said, “On the girls’ side we have Payton Sholander returning after placing 4th last year at the state tournament. On the boy’s side, Johnny Leck is a returning state champion, Adam Bilby is a returning 3rd place medalist, Tyren Emberson is a returning state qualifier, Rhett Briggs is a returning 6th place finisher, Bronx Wood is a returning state qualifier from 5A, and Milan Colvin is a returning state runner-up at 285. Johnny, Milan and Adam set the bar high for themselves last year all placing in the top three at the state tournament. This year is no exception, we have the same expectation and would like to see all three in the finals and have a chance to win a state championship.” In addition to the returning wrestlers, there are a few new wrestlers that will be counted on this season to which Coach Saferite stated that, “We do have a few new faces on the team this year and we have high expectations with them. We feel that Damon Ingram, Rhett Briggs and Bronx Wood will make an immediate impact for our line-up as well as a couple of freshmen in Sebastian Bentley and Leven Jones”. The wrestlers are excited to get the season going. Returning State Champion Sophomore Johnny Leck said, “We have a good group of guys ready to put the work in. Our expectations are to win state and nothing less.” Sophomore Tyren Emberson said, “We have a lot of state level guys and I'm looking forward to not only winning state for me but also as a team.” Returning 3rd place medalist Sophomore Adam Bilby stated, “I think we will win state, and I think our team is the underdog this year but we showed everyone up last year so we are going to do it again this year.” The wrestling team will get their season underway on December 3rd at the Valley Center Tournament.