Marcos return solid core of wrestlers
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Lack of depth, a problem that has plagued the Marcos wrestling team for years, is going to be an obstacle the team has to overcome once again this season if they hope to make some noise in the Upstate Illini Conference.
Things are falling into place pretty well for Polo, but with such low numbers they are just taking things step by step, said coach Justin Zigler.
“Practice has gone really well so far. We only have 14 kids out this year, but we are filling out quite a few weight classes,” said Zigler. “As we continue to drop weight and get healthy we are going to fill out a few more too.”
The Marcos have several key wrestlers that are either injured or have not been certified in their weight class, and they are not trying to get those kids into the lineup faster than they should.
“It’s very important to fill out as many weight classes as you can, but we don’t want to rush anything. Those kids that are injured or making weight will get there, and we are not going to rush them into anything,” said Zigler. “Dual matches are great to win, but it’s just experience for regionals. The end of the season is what matters to us.”
Polo started off the season splitting two matches last week, and Zigler is pleased with what he saw from a lot of young wrestlers that night.
“Our first matches came out well, and all of our kids that wrestled that night did very well,” said Zigler. “We had several forfeits, but a lot of kids stepped up for us. Even a couple of the matches where kids lost, they didn’t give up, and in the end that helped the team win.”
One reason that he believes his team is going to make strides this year is the leadership he has seen from the upperclassmen.
“We have great senior and junior leadership, and it’s not just me out there teaching the younger kids,” said Zigler. “The upper classmen are helping out also, which is great. On top of that we have two great assistants that are helping out too.”
Something that the team has to learn this season is how to take the match the entire six minutes, no matter what the situation is, said Zigler.
“Since it is such a young group, we just have to learn how to finish,” said Zigler. “We have to learn how to go all six minutes. That has been the one thing that I noticed so far.”
A team trait that he thinks will help out that learning process is their attitude, which has already paid dividends.
“They have a very positive attitude. The young kids are cheering on the older kids in practice, and the older kids are cheering on the younger ones,” said Zigler. “Wrestling is a grueling sport and it’s easy to get down, but if you have that positive attitude it shows on the mat.”
As always two normal competitors are going to be at the top of the conference waiting for the Marcos.
“Dakota and Lena-Winslow are always at the top of our conference, and those are the teams to beat,” said Zigler. “There are going to be a lot of solid teams in our conference, and if we can fill the weight classes I think we can compete. I really think we should be right in the mix.”
Learning on a daily basis is going to be a key to the season for the Marcos, as well as making sure they are prepared to battle six minutes each match, said Zigler.
“The main thing I want to see is how they learn from tough situations that they come across,” said Zigler. “I need to know if they are going to quit or come back and work harder. Since we have a lack of depth we have to be in shape, and when we need the points we need kids with the drive to get those points for us.”
