Back on the mat

The Glasgow wrestling team began practice this week beginning a season long march toward what could be a fourth consecutive state title for the Scotties.

The Scotties ran away with the title last year with four wrestlers winning their weight class in last season's State Tournament. Out of the ten finishers from last season seven will be returning this season, setting the Scotties for yet another title run.

“We're expecting to win,” co-head coach Byron Hallock said. “That's our expectations I hope the kids have the same one.”

To win this season, the coaches are talking heavily about fighting complacency. While this team has won three in a row, state championships aren't easy to come by even if the Scotties have made it look that way the past few years.

“Last year we didn't have a real good state tournament, and we still ran away with it,” Hallock said. “For (the seniors) we're going to have to keep on them to let them know they're going to have to work for it. Especially this year, it's not going to come as easy.”

Though there will be a ton of talent on the team again this season, the Scotties will have to do without 171-pound champion Aaron Hartsock to start the season while he recovers from an ACL injury suffered during football season.

“Right now it's unsure where he's going to be,” co-head coach Brady Flaten said. “It's going to take a wait and see on the knee. We'll give him as much rest as he needs to get back and see where it goes. Right now we're not really sure where that leaves him as an individual.”

But the Scotties will have to wrestle with or without Hartsock in the lineup, leaving points to fill on the score sheet. For those the coaches are expecting to get some more production out of some of the seniors that didn't place in state last year.

“We have three seniors that didn't place last year that we expect to place this year,” Hallock said. “All three should do well, but those three have to make up for the Hartsock loss.”

Those three, Simon Helland, Gavin Holstein and Zeb Shawver, will head a strong senior class that also includes Hartsock and high placers Parker Miller and Tyrel Shumway.

“That's something throughout this run that we've had every year is good senior leadership,” Flaten said. “That's going to be no different this year.”

There will also be a strong underclass, led by 112-pound champion Luke Zeiger and high finishers Jacob Bethea, Braden Hallock and Chaz Hopstad. Only four freshman joined the team this season, though the coaches expect improvement from every wrestler by the end of the season.

The depth won't be as solid as last season, though the coaches do expect to have a better duel team.

They will get a chance to see how good this team can be on Dec. 4, when the Scotties head to Sidney for their first meet of the season.  The Scotties first home meet is week later when the Scotties host the Glasgow Invitational on Dec. 12.