(Oakland, IA) — Last year was a success for Riverside Boys Wrestling but there still was something undone at the end of the season. While the Bulldogs sent 8 wrestlers to the Iowa High School Tournament, Riverside did not walk away with any hardware. Nobody got on the medal stand.
Head Coach Casey Conover is determined to not let that happen this year — Riverside returns 7 of those 8 wrestlers plus adds a transfer in Drew Anderson who went to state last year for Lewis Central. Senior Taven Moore and Sophomore Kingston Carrigan both came close to a medal last year, both losing in the blood round. Moore went 28-8 last year while Corrigan will try to avoid a sophomore slump after going 27-13. Conover says the needs to do several things to improve
Riverside is good at wrestling because they make themselves better — there is so much talent in the room that they are constantly wrestling against each other. Moore is partners with Junior Jaxon Gordon who went 37-14 last year and 0-2 at state and Conover says their practice battles are intense
Seniors AC Roller, Jett Rose and Kellen Oliver plus Junior Jack Branan all were state qualifiers last year and back in the line up. Senior Kellen Oliver is hurt to start the season and Conover says he will work himself back in late December or after the winter break. Anderson will fit in somewhere. So will Davis Bramman and Caden Forristall — two juniors who went to state as freshmen but just missed last year. Conover says the taste of the last year’s bus ride going home empty handed will hopefully drive them this year
Riverside opens their wrestling season Thursday with a triangular hosting Glenwood and Underwood.
Complete Interview with Head Coach Casey Conover
