There’s a lot to be said for staying positive, and that’s what Montezuma High School’s wrestlers are doing as they prepare for the season.
“We are a young team again this year with some first-year wrestlers,” said Braves Coach Josh Kriegel.
There are six high school Braves working in the room.
“Our returnees from last year are Brian Diaz and Kennen Roadcap,” Kriegel said.
Diaz, a senior, is working at 182 and 195 pounds.
Roadcap, a sophomore, is at 285.
Others are freshman Braxton Simpson at 145 and 152, freshman Derek Fry at 145 and 152, junior Keatyn Stokoe at 285 and junior T.J. Townsend at 285.
“Each of our wrestlers have individual and team goals,” Kriegel said.
“Our goal is to keep improving every day and to make ourselves better wrestlers and individuals by the end of the season,” the coach said.
“This group comes to practice with a positive attitude and they are learning from each other every day.”
Fighting COVID poses another challenge for a close contact sport like wrestling.
“This year is different for everyone with COVID-19 and there will be some small changes this year for wrestling,” Kriegel said. “During practice, we are social distancing every 15 minutes to give ourselves some space for a while.”
“We are keeping small groups of three or four together throughout practice to prevent any new exposure to the virus,” said Kriegel.
“As always, washing mats before and after practice, airing out the wrestling room, practicing proper hygiene, and wearing face masks when social distancing is not possible are among the many things we are doing,” Kriegel said.
“Wrestling meets and tournaments will certainly look different with limited crowds during events,” the coach said.
“We are doing everything we can to keep our team safe and healthy throughout the season.”
UP FIRST – The Braves are at Sigourney on Thursday, Dec. 3, starting at 5:30 p.m.
MONTE INVITE CANCELED – Because of team cancellations, the Montezuma Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 5, has been called off for this year.