The Huskies’ Wrestling Team has gotten to the halfway point of their season and they have started strong. Compared to most recent years hovering close to .500 records the Huskies have been doing quite well. With a record of 18-7, they have competed with top teams in the state and do very well at holding their own. The Huskies found recent success in their last tournament with a back to back win in the second annual Davis Duals.
Overall, the team has done well, individually the Huskies have also exceeded expectations and have made the team proud. Coach Derek Johnson said, “On top of our returning State Qualifiers taking care of business, we’ve seen some giant leaps in performance from the sophomore class like Jayden Jirele (133lb), Riley Kreeger (152lb), Carter Flatland (160lb), and Max Flemke (189lb).”
The Huskies wrestlers work harder every day in the wrestling room and it is showing on the mat. They believe that with better conditioning, technique and a better mindset they are setting themselves up for success.
The team this year is led by senior captain Grant Lower. Lower is the team’s heavyweight and is the main anchor of the team. Lower said, “Being a captain has been challenging but also has been fun. Keeping the boys in check can be a big task but one that I’m up for.” Lower brings a much-needed leader to the team and somebody you can always rely on to get the win.
Wrestling is a difficult sport and a huge grind. It takes a lot of mental focus and having people dedicate large parts of their lives to get better. Junior Donny Sorenson said, “Friendships during the season mean a lot to me. They are some of the best friends I could ask for. My teammates always have my back no matter what.” Wrestling has one of the longest seasons out of all OHS sports. The relationships in the sport make it faster and make it more enjoyable.
The end goal for the team is always a section championship and a state tournament berth. Coach Derek Johnson said, “One of the most underrated aspects of a great team is how you lose. No team wins every match in a dual, and so how you avoid pins, keep matches close and fight relentlessly saves team points and seals the team wins.” The goal in wrestling is to win whether it is as an individual or a team, that is always the goal. Wrestlers don’t need to dominate every opponent they face, but the little things they do right are the determining factor of winning or losing their match. The Huskies live by these morals and that is what makes them better than most.
The Huskies hit the road for their next meet on Thursday, Jan. 25 at 6 p.m. for a triangular meet with conference rivals Rochester Mayo and Mankato West.
