Grapplers Back On The Mat
By Jessica Wald
Numbers have increased slightly for the Imperial boys’ wrestling team, as of the first week of practice last week.
Head Coach Kriss McCleary, who is starting his 10th year of coaching, reported ten boys (7th-12th grade) registered for the team, along with two 6th graders. Last year the team had 7 athletes (7th-12th grade) and one 6th grader at the start.
The team graduated no seniors last season and this year three seniors lead the team.
“These three are some of the original kids from elementary to now,” McCleary recalled of the last ten years. “I’m hoping they can pass on their leadership, which is a good part of continuing to rebuild our team.”
McCleary said some of the goals this year are to place top ten in the individual and team race, plus win duals as a team. He noted there are three returning state placers; Mason Weigel-5th, Bryce Schneider-6th; Dalton Feist-1st; while the team also had three state qualifiers.
Coach McCleary also said there are a few. . .