The ANML Lightning Wrestling team has had a great start to their season, with a record of 16-3. The team dominated their last meet against Glencoe, with a score of 46-27. “We are looking forward to a great season,” said Head Coach Ben Youngs “Everyone has been working exceptionally hard and it’s great to see the team coming together in these last few months.” 

   The team just had wrestle offs, where wrestlers can challenge an opponent for a spot on the varsity section roster, on Tuesday. Though the line up didn’t change drastically there are still few updates to be made. The varsity roster consists of 14 weight classes, with a wrestler at each. “Sometimes when the other team doesn’t have someone for your weight class, they have to forfeit,” said junior Shay McClory, “Forfeits are worth six points, which can really help the team in the long run.” McClory has been wrestling since he was in third grade and continues to learn and grow throughout the sport. 

   Senior Mitchell Koss has been wrestling since before kindergarten. He is also a prior state participant and he loves the sport. “Most people complain about practices but I actually enjoy them,” said Koss, “Wrestling is my favorite thing to do and having to work hard to be good is the best thing about it.” Koss works extra hard to be the best athlete he can, sometimes he attends certain camps to improve himself as a wrestler. 

   Many athletes on the wrestling team choose to wrestle outside of the season as well, to improve on their skills. This is part of the reason the team works so well to conquer their competition. Sometimes the team practices before school, which shows their dedication to the sport and the ANML program as a whole. 

   The team will be traveling to Watertown-Mayer on Friday, January 13 and later to Alexandria for an overnight individual tournament on Saturday. They are all very hopeful for the next meets to come with the season’s end coming closer.