The Wrangell High School wrestling team has begun training for another season. The team’s first tournament will be in Petersburg on Oct. 12 and 13. According to Assistant Coach Jack Carney, this year’s team is younger but very experienced.
“After losing three seniors last year, we have a fairly young team,” he said in an email. “We have two seniors, three juniors, one sophomore, and six freshmen. Even though the team is young, most are experienced wrestlers that have placed at state-level tournaments and what we’re seeing in practices is very encouraging.”
The team is focusing on the fundamentals of wrestling in practice, Carney said, but they will be going over more advanced techniques as the season progresses. He said that there are some very strong pinners, and as a whole the team is in good shape. Pins and takedowns are the main area of focus, he said. Carney also added that the students making up the wrestling team are very competitive and active in other sports. He predicted that Wrangell will have a lot of top finishers in the Petersburg tournament.
Besides winning tournaments and maintaining good grades, Carney said he wants the team to focus on things like mental toughness, physical strength, speed, and flexibility. He also wants them to leave the wrestling mat with skills that can help their everyday life, like improved confidence, a stronger work ethic, being good teammates and classmates, and all-around being a better person.
“The main goal is that each student finishes the season proud of what they accomplished in the classroom and on the mat, knowing that they gave 100 percent in both areas,” said Carney.
The team’s annual halibut dinner and silent auction will take place this Saturday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Nolan Center. Meals will be prepared by Jake Harris, of the Stikine Inn, and proceeds will go to benefit the wrestling team.
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