MORGANTOWN — University wrestling coach Ken Maisel hopes this upcoming season won’t be defined by his dichotomous group of athletes.
“We’ve got a very split group. We have a group that is very experienced with a lot of accolades, then we have another that’s young and learning,” he said. “Its a group that I think are going to be very good, but right now they have to keep their head above water. We can’t slow down — we have these other guys to train.”
To deal with the gap in experience and talent, Maisel said he looks to take multi-faceted approach to his coaching this year. In doing so, he hopes that he can prepare his younger group to step into the lineup and be successful without sacrificing his top wrestlers success.
“Some of these guys aren’t going to be here next year, and we want to train those young guys to step right into the lineup and be successful,” he said. “We’re trying to do two things here.”
The Hawks opened their season last weekend in Amityville, N.Y. Maisel wanted the team to use the opening weekend as an opportunity to grow as wrestlers and to continue the progress they’ve established in the preseason.
“For our really good guys, they have to continue to train the way we need to keep training. We need to do a better job of wrestling in transition,” he said. “The most important thing is that they have to keep going down this road we’re on. We have to get one percent better every day.”
The Hawks will host the Superior Photo tournament at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Preston
Preston wrestling looks to be led this season by a strong trip of state qualifiers.
The group of Ayden Bishoff, Bryson Wilkins, and Zack Riffle made the journey to Charleston last winter, and look to return once more. Joined by talented Hunter Bishop, returning from injury last season, coach Ike Dixon expects the group to make a serious impact on the mat for PHS.
“They understand the end goal. We’re wrestling now, but what really counts is what comes in February,” he said. “All you can do is keep working through the year. But February is when we need to peak.”
Behind the top four is a younger group filled with many first-year wrestlers. Dixon expects the more inexperienced of the team to struggle at first, particularly with conditioning, but expects they’ll progress with more time on the mat.
“In all the other classes we’re going to be young. We have a lot of first-year kids. The biggest thing is, especially with the new ones, is having them realize what kind of conditioning they need,” Dixon said. “It’s a huge part of this sport, and the ones who have wrestled before know that. It’ll take the new ones a bit.”
The Knights will also compete in the Superior Photo tournament at UHS on Saturday.
Morgantown
Morgantown enters this season with quite the small roster — but don’t let that fool you. They’ll still be a tough team to handle.
“We may be low in quality but we are high in quality. All of our guys have experience, but four are freshman. They picked up a strong foundation and knowledge at South Middle School over the past few years,” coach Joseph Abu-Ghannam said.
The team only fills 8-of-14 weight classes, but hasn’t let that drag them down. In the season opener Thursday, the Mohigans still managed to notch a win against Brooke despite the disadvantage. They split two matches on the night, dropping the other to Wheeling Park. Abu-Ghannam was optimistic about the performance.
“I have high hopes and expectations for this season,” he said.
MHS will open its home slate tonight, hosting Paden City at 6 p.m.
