Wrestlers prep for Evanston tourney

Head wresting coach Josh Wisniewski is looking forward to the upcoming wrestling season.

While Wisniewski admits he doesn't have anyone competing at the heavy weight division this year, he's confident he has a very strong group of wrestlers competing at all other levels.

"We're going to have a solid line up," he said.

Wisniewski is in his second year as head wrestling coach for the Wolves.

The main lesson he learned last year that he brings with him is how hard work pays off on the mat.

"We have to keep grinding. We have to keep working hard," he said.

Wisniewski has a number of leaders returning to the team this year, including state champion Payton Tucker, state runner up Tanner Adam and former state champion Justin Flores, who was off the team last year due to injury. Wisniewski said he expects the other seniors returning to the team to be leaders as well.

The season starts in Evanston, with a two-day tournament scheduled to start Friday. Wisniewski said the tournament draws strong competition from Utah and Wyoming, giving his wrestlers a chance to see a few of the other competitors they will face throughout the season.

Wisniewski said he hopes to see his wrestlers score early and continue improving while having great control on top and being feisty on the bottom.

"We want to see our wrestlers getting better with every match," Wisniewski said.

However, wrestling is only one aspect Wisniewski hopes to see his team succeed at.

He said the coaches also want to help the Wolves succeed in their lives at Green River High School and in the community, using lessons taught on the mat to improve the students.

"We want our kids to be good citizens," he said.