Coach Joel Nelson sat down with sports writer Aiden Claussen to talk about the wrestling season.

How do you think the team will do this season?

Girls: You’re aiming for a top-3 conference finish, which is a realistic goal given the strong returning core of five starters.

Boys: Defending the conference title will be a tough challenge, but with four returning starters from a successful season, you have a solid foundation.

 Are there any star players that people should be excited about?

Boys: Carter Schwiesow (returning state individual) and Josh Shamblen (state qualifier two years ago) are key players to watch.

Girls: Emerson Scoles is your top bowler, and Makana Noble and Reagan Minor are seniors who have shown significant improvement during the offseason.

How many seniors will the team lose this year?

Boys: Losing four seniors will be a significant factor to consider.

Girls: Losing five seniors also presents a challenge, but you have a strong returning core to build around.

How do you prepare for matches?

Tracking averages: Helps identify individual improvement and areas for focus.

Bowl-offs: Determines optimal bowler positions and identifies areas for improvement.

Spare practice: Focusing on crucial spares like the 7 and 10 pins is essential.

Bakers games: Emphasizes teamwork and communication.

What are you most excited about this season?

Girls’ success: You’re particularly excited about the girls’ potential this season, given their strong returning core and offseason improvement.

Boys’ continued success: You’re looking to build on the boys’ previous success and potentially achieve a team qualification for the state tournament.

Individual state qualifiers: You’re aiming to increase the number of bowlers who qualify for the individual state tournament.