Wrestling is back and ready for action

The wrestling team has practiced every day after school from 4:30 to 6 p.m. since the end of October.

“How hard we work is how much we get back, so we all try to work really hard,” senior Paul Savage said.

For the first tournament of the year, the team traveled to the annual Rockwall Heath tournament the weekend of Nov. 20.

“The tournament was a little bit of a challenge,” junior Zane Zercher said. “I thought I could’ve done better personally but our team did alright for the first tournament of the year.”

After resting up over the Thanksgiving break, the team was back in action that next week, preparing for the Colleyville Heritage tournament Dec. 5.

Placing in second was senior Zech Peltier, junior Gabe Casey and junior Sebastian Jasso. Placing fourth was junior Lucas Benfield and senior Dylan Hoffard.

“Colleyville was definitely a reality check about how dropping down a weight class would not be any easier than my previous class,” Hoffard said. “What I could have done better was not underestimate my opponent like I did.”

This year’s wrestling seniors include Wyatt Aroche, Shane Brown, Aaron Gassett, Dylan Hoffard, Sebastian Jasso, Bruce Lenmans, Frank Rodriguez and Paul Savage.

“This year is actually going pretty good because, after three years of experience, wrestling my matches have gotten easier,” senior Wyatt Aroche said. “I hope to go farther than last year and hopefully make it to State.”

Wylie East hosted the annual Wylie East Wrestling Invitational Dec. 12 in the competition gym. Wylie East placed in the top six of the tournament.

Placing first in his weight class was senior Aaron Gassett; placing second was sophomore Dayron Jackson and senior Frank Rodriguez; placing third sophomore Tyler Stephens; and placing fourth junior Zane Zercher.

“It was a good tournament,” Zercher said. “I came out of it with even more great experience to learn from and knowing that this is only just the beginning of hopefully a great year.”

Look for the wrestling team in the next few weeks as they make their way to the District, Regional and State tournaments.

“Some of the wrestlers are doing a good job,” said senior Shane Brown, “But overall everyone needs to work harder and come together as a team; that’s the only way we’re going to succeed.”