Boys wrestling team destroyed Leander 63-10 on Jan. 23. at Leander High School. If this week’s victory is any indicator, the wrestling team is ready to take over the district tournament Feb. 2 at Georgetown.
Varsity Team Captain John Wheeler is confident that his team will be successful at the district tournament.
“As a team we are going to win,” Wheeler said.
According to Sophomore Quincy Dahnert the mix of freshmen and seniors has really benefitted the team. Wheeler concurs saying one of the team’s most valuable wrestlers is freshman Ross Greves because of his size and agility. Greves doesn’t agree-completely.
“I don’t think I’m better than them,” Greves said. “But it’s true that I’m a good wrestler.”
Greves, like Dahnert, credits the senior wrestlers for his improvement even though he was originally intimidated to wrestle them.
“I’m more confident now,” Greves said. “I don’t care if I lose. I just want to know how good I’m doing.”
As for Dahnert and Wheeler, this season is all about advancing to state championship. Their coach, world geography teacher Phil Pederson, believes they are ready.
“The biggest thing I’ve seen is that they have embraced what it takes to be successful,” Pederson said.
With the new 4a-5a division the odds are even better.
“We should have quite a few kids go through,” Pederson said.
If the team does well at the district tournament they will compete at the region tournament Feb. 8-9, then onto the state championship set for Feb. 22-23.