(Atlantic) Around 24 wrestlers are expected to report for the start of preseason practice for the Atlantic High School team today. The Trojans graduated nine seniors from last year’s squad.
Atlantic Head Coach Tim Duff says the goal is to improve each day.
A clock on the wall of the Trojans wrestling room will begin counting down until the State Wrestling Tournament starts on February 14. When the state tournament is over, the clock starts counting up. It’s been 267 days since the 2023 state wrestling tournament.
Coach Duff says last year’s senior class won many matches, but now it is a new team. He says the page needs to be turned, led by three seniors. Cohen Bruce, who won fourteen matches in an injury-shortened season, and Dante Hedrington, also worked through some injuries, Northwestern College recruit, at 106, Taye Jordan.
Coach Duff says Aiden Smith, a two-time state medal winner with a state runner-up finish last season, leads the junior class. Evan Sorensen won 39 matches a year ago and was a state qualifier who finished the season one match away from medaling at the state tournament. Additionally, Jarrett Hansen, coming off an outstanding football season, is expected to have a good season, and Cameron McDermott is likely to bust into the starting lineup.
Coach Duff says four returning sophomores are expected to contribute to the team, including state qualifier Braxton Hass, Draven Mitchell, Donavan Hedrington, and Dart Hansen.
The meet-the-team night is November 27 beginning at 6PM. The Trojans open the season on November 30 beginning at 6PM in a dual at home against Earlham.
The full interview with Coach is posted below:
