With the 2017-18 season fast approaching, Ignacio High School wrestling head coach Jordan Larsen indicated an anticipation to what most would consider a serious rebuilding year.
“I can say that this year’s group of grapplers, while small, does seem to show some real energy for learning, which is always wonderful to see as a coach,” Larsen said, noting that before Thanksgiving week he and assistants Cody Haga and Dennis deKay had just eight wrestlers in camp.
Not necessarily a bad thing, considering each will receive even more instruction directly from the mentors.
“Our program philosophy – both technical and general – is based off of a combination of the knowledge that all three of us value. I am very excited to be splitting instructional sessions between all three of us,” said Larsen. “Together, we have around 65-70 years of experience to pull from, coaching and wrestling alike. The numbers this year are pretty low, but myself and the coaching staff are very excited about having all underclassmen – no seniors – in the room this year.”
Still, graduated seniors are what IHS will have to replace. Gone are Class 2A State Championships runner-up Ethan Appenzeller at 145 pounds, state qualifier Lorenzo Peña (third place at 160) and state qualifier Stocker Robbins (132), as well as both Dalton Mickey and Timmy Plehinger-Williams at 152.
However, now-junior Dustin Sanchez gutted out the football season on an injured knee and can return, possibly at 138 pounds as in 2016-17, along with underclassmen Cesar Pedregon at 170 and Hunter Robbins at 113.
“As far as individuals that will step up to lead the squad,” Larsen said, “I can only say that I am waiting to see who has the spirit to consistently demonstrate the qualities of a captain and leader both in the practice room as a silent leader, and in the competitions early on as a humble and integrity-filled grappler.”
The squad attended a scrimmage day hosted by Class 5A Aztec on Monday, Nov. 20, and will return to AHS Saturday for its first official action of the winter: the Tiger JV Round-Robin.
“We will be working hard in the practice room with our sights set no farther than the match in front of us,” Larsen said. “Obviously, we are starting this year with no returning state or regional placers; having said that, wrestling is a sport that restarts at the beginning of each season.
“My expectations of our small group of athletes is no less than it has been in previous years. In all honesty, our expectations here are more than likely greater than they were in the past. We are training to be champions, and while that does not always happen, I know that the boys that make it through a season of wrestling at IHS will have earned themselves an opportunity for success.”
