The 2019-2020 wrestling season for Perry will begin tonight when the Bluejays compete in a quadrangular at Kuemper Catholic, and head coach Mark Weber said he knew his team was eager to start the new campaign.
“I am sure we are just like anybody else and ready to face somebody different than our own teammates,” he said. “The opening matches of a season are always a learning process for everyone, so I am looking forward to seeing how we handle competition.”
“More than anything I want to see us prepared to go out there and go hard for six strong minutes,” he added. “That is the one thing we have to see, the one thing that cannot be missing — a desire to give your best.”
Perry returns a pair of state qualifiers in senior Jacob Nelson and sophomore Cole Nelson, who will wrestle at 145 and 113 pounds, respectively.
Six other seniors will join Jacob Nelson in the opening match starting lineup, with Kolby Wolfe to go at 120 pounds, Erick Funez at 138, Charley Guardado at 152, Wilber Ramirez at 160, Cole Snyder at 182 and Jason Zepeda at 195.
Juniors Riese Graham (106) and Zach Darr (220) have also earned starting spots, as have sophomores Tanner Burgin (126), Alex Fickbohm (132) and Camden Jones (285). Perry will start the season leaving the 170-pound weight class open.
Weber said he expects Ramirez to drop to 152 after the holiday break, which is also the expected return timetable for senior Bryan Funez, who is out with an injury.
Injury will also cost Perry the services of junior Jeb Stewart, who will miss the season because of knee surgery.
Perry will be in action Saturday at the Dan Hill Invite in Harlan before hosting Ogden and Woodward-Granger Tuesday. The Bluejays will then take part in the Aplington-Parkersburg Invite Dec. 14.
