Sports
Wrestlers return with win
The Pointer
rnech142@uwsp.edu
With a come-from-behind win against Lakeland College Tuesday, the Pointer wrestling team proved that despite a five-player turnover in the past year, they could utilize the grapplers they have on the squad.
Coach Johnny Johnson remarked that the team is hard-working and that despite having some inexperience in the ranks, the team should be contending in no time.
“We have high hopes for the team this season; we need to fill a couple of spots left from seniors last year with freshmen, transfers and guys stepping up to do as well as we can in the WIAC and the national tournament,” said freshman Jeremy Fulk.
Johnson said it is just a matter of hard work and ongoing instruction that will create success for the squad this season. They lost two All-American wrestlers and five total seniors last year and moved up wrestlers who had not previously spent a whole lot of time on the mat.
The Pointers saw an influx of seven freshmen and two transfers in the off season. They returned NCAA-qualifying wrestlers Ben Engelland, Jake Wozniak and Chase DeCleene.
“Well, we had a win. I don’t know that I would call it a strong performance,” said Johnson. “I think that what it did for us was give us a gauge of where we need to improve for next weekend.”
The upcoming Comet Dual in Michigan will be a chance for the Pointers to travel outside of their normal realm. They get to take on other wrestlers they would not usually face.
“We’re going to see a little bit tougher competition than we did last night,” said Johnson. ”I think that the competition will be good for us; it also gives us the opportunity to face some teams from the eastern part of the United States that we don’t typically see.”
One hundred thirty-three-pound senior Jered Kern has big expectations for himself and the team. He placed second in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament last season.
“My main goal is to have at least 30 wins when the season comes to a close,” Kern said. “Inconsistency is something that I personally need to overcome and if I do that, not only will I benefit come March, but the team will too.“
