The fall sports are finally at a close and the winter athletes are ready to start the season. Wrestling is rolling out the mats and has some high expectations with their season beginning.
They had 17 state qualifiers, and 15 are returning to the mat. They also were able to take 3rd at state. This 2024-2025 season, the pressure is on as they are expected to win another district title and are hoping to take state as a team.
The wrestlers are also coming in with high hopes of placing at state. Carson Leonard who took state his freshman year is coming back and working hard to hopefully earn his second state title.
“I am more nervous coming into this year because I have to do it again,” Leonard said. “I feel I have improved. I am stronger and faster than last year. I will also think more during my matches.”
The girls team has grown from 5 wrestlers in the 2023-2024 season to 9 girls for the 2024-2025 season.
“I feel like i’m going to come in better, i will win more and wrestle smarter,” Shariece Vandever said. “I asked every girl in sight to wrestle a lot said no but a few yes so now we have nine. If your a girl join wrestling you won’t regret it.”
The varsity boys have a brand new tournament to look forward to this season, The Lakeland 5A duals. The head coach William Edelblute has invited all the teams that the boys will see at state to a dual hosted at Lakeland High School Dec, 27-28.
It’ll be a great way to see how the team will look at the state as a whole and individuals as a team.
Chase Campbell is the new assistant coach for the Lakeland wrestlers. He helped in the mat room last year and will now be on the side of the mat coaching his wrestlers. He is also an alumnus of Lakeland’s wrestling program.
The rules have changed since last year with a two point takedown to three and 3 point nearfall going up to four. The wrestlers also are considered in bounds with one point of contact in the circle. The weights are also now matched with collegiate weight classes.
It is definitely going to be a bit different this season but the Lakeland wrestling team is looking strong all the way around.
Come out to Lakeland High School and take a look at who will be the Varsity starters during Green and Gold on Dec. 2.
