“It varies from day-to-day, sometimes we have in the upper 40’s and sometimes the upper 30’s, but I am very pleased to see those numbers.”
Those were the sentiments of Perry wrestling head coach Mark Weber, who enters his third season guiding the Bluejay matmen.
“One of the most encouraging things is that we are seeing kids out who also compete in other sports,” Weber said. “Myself and the other coaches have been working to get the word out that competing in wrestling in only going to help you in your other sports. I am hopeful the trend will continue, because it needs to as it will help the whole athletic program.”
Wrestle-offs for most of the 14 weight classes will be held prior to the start of the season Thursday when Perry hosts a quadrangular. Weber was reluctant to point directly to many “certain fits” with many spots still open.
One area that is a sure as cement is senior Kaleb Olejniczak stepping in at 138 pounds, where Zach Stewart won a state title in Class 3A last year. Olejniczak was the runner-up at 126, but has upped his weight even as Perry returns to Class 2A.
Olejniczak, who qualified for the state tourney as a freshman and was fourth at state as a sophomore (both) at 113, was 48-6 last year. He is 133-19 overall, within reach of Zach Thompson’s school record of 174 career wins.
Fellow senior Justin Stammer (152) and junior Cole Snyder (182) were named by Weber as wrestlers the team will likely look to, as were Bryan and Erick Funez, Jeb Stewart, Rylee Ray, Riece Graham, Jacob Nelson and Luke Holftorf.
“We have some competitions as some weights,” Weber said, “and 220 is a perfect example. We have a freshman and four sophomores battling there. None are real experienced but are fighting hard and that is a good place to start.”
Perry’s season opens on their home mats tonight. Gilbert, Kuemper Catholic and Roland-Story will be on hand for a quadrangular, with action beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Weber, as he has done since taking the helm in Perry for the 2016-17 season, stressed the value of wrestling beyond wins and losses.
“I think the discipline and the devotion it takes both teach strong lessons to the guys, which will help them in so many ways, not just as wrestlers,” he said. “It is easy to look at records (won-loss) but I look at a guy and want to see he is working hard, that he is making progress through the season. I also want them to have fun. If it isn’t fun, they won’t come out.”
Considering the solid numbers in the wrestling room this season — and also of those signed up for the Junior Jays wrestling club — it appears fun is indeed being experienced.
