Takedown in Iowa

Jays wrestling team travels to Iowa for early December tournament

Brodey Hutton, Reporter|January 24, 2022

The Jays wrestling team begins their 2021 season with a trip to Iowa as they look to kick off their season with a strong tournament performance against some very tough teams. The tournament will take place Dec. 3-4 in Coralville, Iowa and will act as a form of warm up for the team. As the tournament will include many top teams, this trip will be used as a way to see what the team needs to improve on. The team is coming off of their second State Championship in a row, with the goal to repeat for a third time.

“I think the biggest thing is to just build off of what we did last year,” coach Kellen Laws said. “We’re in our second year of being back-to-back State Champs, so I think the goal is to continue that trend and end up 3-for-3 in the last three.”

Obviously, a big trip takes preparation, but sophomore Christopher Coates is staying ready by focusing on the basics like maintaining a good diet, consistently working and mental training to have the best mindset when playing.

”I think it’s been really good,” Coates said. “I trust my coaches, they’ve been where I am and know what it takes to be successful.”

The tournament will include 32 teams from across the Midwest. The tournament, the Dan Gable Donnybrook, will mark its inaugural year with this upcoming tournament.

“It’ll be fun to kick back in the hotels, but it’ll be good competition and it gives us a chance to see where we are,” senior Kyle Dutton said. “But I think we’ll do really well. We’ve got seniors returning from last year, and it’s a really good team.”

Laws’ excitement for this trip comes from the prospect of wrestling some of the best teams in the Midwest.

“It’ll be fun to kick back in the hotels, but it’ll be good competition and it gives us a chance to see where we are,” Dutton said. “But I think we’ll do really well. We’ve got seniors returning from last year, and it’s a really good team.” Photo by Chloe Gerardy

“Everytime we get to wrestle some of the best teams in the country or Midwest, that makes it all worthwhile for what we do,” Laws said.

“We have a great group of kids and a great group of wrestlers and anytime we can showcase them at the nationals level, it only breeds more success and prepares them for the state tournament in February,” Laws said.

The wrestling team will face off against Kearney at Kearney High School at 6 P.M. on Dec. 1 and tickets to that match can be bought at Kearney High School.