Comets picking up where they left off

CHARLES CITY WRESTLING

Comets picking up where they left off

State appearances, titles not out of the question

The Comet wrestling team will lean on leadership from seniors, returning state qualifiers and letterwinners for the 2015-16, as they seek to return in heavy numbers back to Des Moines. Head coach Kevin Wedeking said it’s entirely too early to say what he thinks his team is going to be able to accomplish. But by looking at the skeleton of the team; looking at what his team has to offer, he said fans will need to keep their eyes on the Comets come state tournament time.

“We’ve got a really nice group of seniors that’s back and supported by three or four juniors,” Wedeking said. “One thing that you have to do as a high school wrestler is you’ve got to get over the shyness of trying new things out on the mat.

“If we can bridge that gap, try some things and really lay it on the line, this team could go all the way.”

With the first practice going off without a hitch, Wedeking said the Comets control their own destiny when it comes to how well they do this season. Happy with the talent that’s there, Wedeking said he’s confident in his team after Day One of practice.

The Comets will return four state qualifiers this season. Nate Lasher, Nick Jacobs, Max Forsyth and Austin Staudt will be key leaders for this year’s team.

Forsyth is a two-time state qualifier. Jacobs placed 6th overall at the state meet. Lasher is looking to get back to Des Moines for the first time in two years.

“The quality is there with the people who did not qualify last year,” Wedeking said. “Brandon Childs could easily be a state qualifier. Brody Tupy has his heart set on winning it all. All these guys are practicing hard.”

A healthy load of returning seniors, letterwinners and state appearances help riddle a well-educated and sound Comet wrestling squad.

The season is still young and plenty can happen by then end of the winter, but with only a couple weeks between the Comets and their first match, only time stands in the way before the conquest begins.

“Several of these athletes want to go back to state, and they’ve started working toward that,” Wedeking said. “It’s just a matter of seeing what happens. We’re anxious to get underway.”

By Stephen Koenigsfeld sports@charlescitypress.com