The red and black mats are unfurling one by one as both wrestling teams look to leave their mark in the upcoming winter season. It was a lengthy and tedious offseason but the boys are aiming to expand upon their top 26 finish at state with two qualifiers returning on the varsity roster. Some of the club’s most notable wrestlers to keep an eye on in the coming months include state contenders like junior Chase Myers and senior John Packet, as well as others who’ve sent shockwaves on a statewide stage such as sophomore Charlie Hall. Despite a lofty amount of athletes raring to takedown the competition, head coach Michael Jernigan is making a point to keep the most crucial meets in the forefront.
“We’ve got a lot of first timers and talented guys who maybe aren’t ready for the varsity heat of competition and so it’s very important we can ease them into the varsity scene,” Jernigan said. “That way we don’t have young guys digging themselves a hole in their record while trying to adjust to the varsity level and becoming discouraged. We want to have everyone who’s ready compete and keep a strong mentality.”
That notion of mentality rests atop a firm pedestal with this year’s wrestling program as coach Jernigan has stressed the importance of attacking the mental aspects of the game during a year of retooling.
“We’re adopting a program this year that works with their mentality and mindset heading into practices, that way we are constantly improving on both sides of the coin,” Jernigan said. “In such a daunting sport it’s super important that we keep these younger guys encouraged so we can really develop together as a unit.”
While developing the next wave of wrestlers seems to be the main focus, Jernigan simultaneously hopes to give each returning veteran their best shot at making the run in competition that they desire. His agenda this year works to usher in the new generation of wrestlers whilst properly integrating athletes at the varsity level to maximize their records and self-confidence. The experienced head coach is carrying out this plan with the utilization of the mental game, and it’s sure to have a positive effect on all wrestlers, including twice state qualifier Chase Myers.
“I think it’s been very helpful,” Myers said. “Wrestling is a big mental game so if your mental isn’t good, you’ve already lost the match.”
Myers has made a great impact on the roster since his introduction to varsity his freshman year. Not only has he qualified for state in both of his first two seasons, but the dominant junior has also accomplished notable achievements such as winning the Millard West tournament and fighting up a weight class to contend for a spot at state. Myers looks to adopt a role more akin to that of a leader heading into the latter years of his high school career, especially with the team’s lack of experience. He touches on the changes he’s made to incorporate that aspect of leadership into his priorities.
“My role on the team is pretty big this year for me. People on the team look up to me so I try to help out as much as I can,” Myers said.
The team’s sights are set on improvement, heading back to the basics and embracing new roles throughout the roster that are sure to make their development as a whole a seamless process. Their collective ambition towards betterment is sure to make the tightly-knit unit one to be reckoned with down the stretch, with the grind to maximize their mentality and performance beginning early. This notion of progress is splattered all over the team, and echoed up and down the ranks, making this season’s Warriors a team to watch out for.
“Our goal is to get better. We’re eliminating some of that fancy stuff and just going back to that hard-nosed wrestling that makes us who we are at our core,” Jernigan said.
The unit’s first bout is set to take place at York high school on Saturday, December 7th, and the team is full steam ahead for the competition.
“We’re gonna take who ever’s ready and we’re gonna do what we do,” Jernigan vowed.
