The Jonathan Alder boys wrestling team is looking to continue their success from the 2014-2015 season. The team hopes to build from the momentum they gained at the end of last season when 2015 graduate Troy Caldwell was named a state champion for the second straight year. Including Caldwell, the wrestling team lost a total of five seniors.

    The team leaders attempting to fill the shoes of last season are senior Jake Davis; juniors Zane Johnson, Casey Yutzy; and sophomore Jake Johnson. The amount of Jonathan Alder students that decided to come out and wrestle is down from 14 to 10 this year. The team is always looking for new wrestlers to increase the depth of the team.

    The wrestling team began conditioning and practicing for the upcoming season back on November 9 to help the athletes get in shape and get better prepared for numerous tournaments they plan to compete in throughout the year.

    Throughout the 2015-2016 season, the team will participate in seven tournaments and four tri-meets that will eventually lead up to the state tournament. To qualify for the state tournament as an individual, a member of the team would have to advance past the sectional and district tournaments. To qualify for states as a team, the team will need to be successful enough throughout the season to qualify for and advance from the regional tournament.

    Coach Ron Thomas, who has 25 years as a wrestling coach in the Jonathan Alder district under his belt, said, “Our goals are to win our invitational and to send kids to the state tournament every year.” Thomas expects to see another successful season from the Jonathan Alder wrestling team.