Pleasant Valley Wrestling began their season last week and are looking forward to the upcoming year.
After sending ten wrestlers to the state tournament last season, Pleasant Valley Wrestling is returning talent to the mat. Each of the other four wrestlers were within close reach of qualifying. Coming into the season ranked 20th as a team, Pleasant Valley still has plenty of work to do in the room.
After six seniors graduated and one transferred, Pleasant Valley Wrestling has to rely on underclassmen to continue their success story.
Seven of the 14 weight classes are open for spots, and it is a battle among the team for who is going to get them. To determine which wrestlers get the spots, the team hosts wrestle-offs. Competition from each weight class wrestle to determine the varsity spot.
As wrestle-offs begin, Assistant Coach Travis Willers recognizes the importance of freshmen, “We have talented freshmen in the room, each can help build our team. Practices look a little different than in the past and we need to continue to push everyone to get better. We have high hopes for some on the team as they fill big shoes from the past, ” Willers said.
Seniors Caden Ervin, Owen Welvart and Nathan Musal all have high hopes for their last high school season. “We need to perform at a high level, and lead this team both in and out of the room,” Musal said. “My goal is to make it to state, as I was close last year but just fell short.”
Juniors Avyn Nelson and Carter Siebel and sophomore Lucas Reeder want to show that they have what it takes to be a varsity wrestler. “Our young returners need to step up in the room, we are relying on them to help get everyone better,” Willers said.
“Being a freshman, I watched and learned from the seniors.Now, I have to lead the freshman in the room, especially because I am a lower weight, I have to continue to bring competitiveness, so we all grow,” Lucas Reeder said.
Prior to the start of the season, IHSSA readjusted the weight classes, so lineups across the state look a little different. This could cause returning athletes to have to switch to a different weight class where they will face new competition.
The new competition can cause fear, while cutting weight can be mentally and physically draining. “Cutting weight is a hard part of this sport, encouraging the guys, letting them know we have all been through it, sometimes is what it takes. Paying attention and knowing your athletes is important as the season starts,” Assistant Coach Matt Thoene said.
The Spartans’ line-up is official after wrestle-offs this past weekend, and the varsity boys open their season at Cliff Keen Independence Tournament on Dec. 1, 2023.
