The temptation is hard to resist, and for good reason.
Most discussions regarding the upcoming wrestling season at Perry naturally begin with the expectations attached to seniors Zachary Thompson and Zach Stewart and sophomore Kaleb Olejncizak. Again, for good reason.
Thompson was 52-6 last year, is 129-25 in three seasons and was third at 120 pounds last season after placing sixth at 106 as a freshman and sixth at 120 as a sophomore. Barring misfortune, he will replace two-time state champion Kane Seeley as Perry’s all-time career winner, a mark that stands at 156.
Olejniczak was fourth at 113 in his second appearance at the state tourney. He finished 54-6 and could himself become the PHS all-time victor as he enters his junior campaign already 85-13.
Stewart used what Weber called “an incredible off-season work ethic” to finish 48-10 after earning a spot in Des Moines. He will compete again this season at 132.
“Everyone wants to talk about our three state guys, and I am happy to join with them,” second-year head coach Weber said. “They draw a lot of attention and deserve it, but there are other great things happening in the wrestling room, and those three would be the first to point it out.”
Weber praised what he called a “more serious” attitude in pre-season practices and said the quiet example to the state trio was paying dividends.
“The other guys see that and realize there is a certain way to go about things,” Weber said. “What I appreciate the most is that there are guys who just are not going to make it to state and they know it, but they recognize they can have successful seasons anyway and finish the year with good records and as much better wrestlers than they were at the start of the year and that motivates them. As a coach you cannot ask for more than that.”
Weber said the lineup was beginning to take shape, but that several weights could see changes as challengers for the varsity spot step up.
He listed Reese Graham at 106 pounds and Rodrigo Guerva and Tucker Strough in the mix at 113. With 120-126-132 spoken for, Weber turned to 138, where either Miguel Gonzalez or Jacob Nelson would start.
Justin Stammer is set at 145, with Jered Narber and Bryan Funez battling at 152 while Erick Funez will go at 160.
Cole Snyder appears set at 170, but 182 will likely be decided by either Angel Escobar or Cesar Ramirez, with Kade Killmer in the lineup at 195. Alex Tapia could be the choice at 220, with Luke Holthorf to step in at 285.
“I believe we will be much improved, top to bottom, than we were last year,” Weber said. “Sometimes the ‘team thing’ gets lost in a sport where it is a one-on-one battle, but I keep reminding the guys that if they take care of their own business we are going to look up at the end of the night and see we are a pretty good team.”
Perry has been bumped to Class 3A this season, erasing the sectional tournament and instead sending the Bluejays into the District 8 tournament Feb. 10 in Waukee. Joining Perry and the hosts will be Ankeny, Carroll, Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln and Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson along with Glenwood and Norwalk.
Their season will open Thursday when Perry joins Gilbert and Kuemper Catholic for a quadrangular at Roland-Story. Perry will compete in the Dan Hill Invitational at Harlan Dec. 2 before hosting Montezuma, Ogden and Woodward-Granger for a quadrangular Dec. 5.
Perry will have three additional home dates this season, including the Bluejay Invitational Jan. 13. They will host Carlisle and Coon Rapids-Bayard Jan. 18 and ADM, Boone and W-G Jan. 23.
