Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Atlantic Wrestling: Trojans building a program from the ground up
Click image to enlarge  |
| Share This Story: |
  
|
Trojans return two state qualifiers in Kasey Juhl and Josh Perkins
By Drew Herron
NT Sports Editor
ATLANTIC— The Trojans field about 30 wrestlers for 14 weight classes and return two state qualifiers who would like to go back to Des Moines very much.
Other than those two facts, all that can be accurately said before Monday night’s wrestle-offs (6:30 p.m.at AHS) is the Trojans appear to be locked into picking up on the improvements of a year ago.
Looking to build on a 15-6 dual record from last year that served as a springboard of its own, the sport of wrestling is alive and well in Atlantic.
“We want to continue improvement not only in wins and losses, but also in effort level,” Atlantic head coach Tim Duff says. “Hopefully, up and down the varsity lineup, we’ll have 14 weight classes with guys who want to compete and have a chance to win anytime we step on the mat.”
To keep the Trojans going, the team’s seniors will be looked upon to set the bar. It’s true of every high school sport, but in wrestling—a sport that requires such dedication—senior leadership might seem to pay off a little more.
This group of senior’s is Duffs first full class, having worked with this particular staff their entire high school careers. Now that the nine juniors and seniors in the program have been through it all before, they are looked upon to lead by example.
“They understand we have high expectations for them, and when the older kids put forth a strong effort, it really gets the younger kids working hard to follow their lead.”
At the top of the weight class is returning state place winner Kasey Juhl.
Coming into his senior season and second as a varsity wrestler, heavyweight Kasey Juhl has his sights set on something better than his seventh place finish at state in 2008. Duff says Juhl has come into preseason practice confident and motivated.
“He’s set some real high goals for himself,” Duff said. “But he’s got the athletic ability to reach whatever he sets his mind to if he’s willing to pay the price.”
Recently named First Team All-District and Third Team All-State for Football this fall, Juhl is big at 6-foot-5 and presumed to be somewhere below 285 pound, but also very coordinated for a big man.
Last winter, Juhl made the transition from basketball to wrestling, dropping a sport where he was the team’s leading scorer for a sport he hadn’t competed in since grade school. Joining the Trojans Wrestling squad as heavyweight, Juhl showed coordination and speed that other heavyweights lacked.
The gamble would pay off though as Juhl eventually captured the heavyweight crown at the Hawkeye 10 Wrestling Tournament and then placed seventh at the state tournament.
“You can tell that Kasey, with a year under his belt, understands his balance and positioning a lot more,” Duff says. “Hopefully, when he gets on the mat that translates to more wins and a higher finish at state.”
Joining Juhl is Josh Perkins, a Hawkeye 10 and district champion at 103 last year as a freshman. Perkins is moving up to 119 pounds but is a tireless worker, and Duff figures he’ll adjust to the bigger opponents.
“Josh has a motor, he’s a high energy kid,” Duff says. “As long as he keeps working hard, he’ll do well wherever he’s at.”
Team Goals
“When we set goals, we start with effort,” Duff says. “If they come to the room every day ready to work and go all out every practice, then all that other stuff will happen. The big thing we’re preaching right now is just getting in the room and getting after it and give it your all. If you do that, everything else will fall into place.”
Duff says he expects the upper classmen to anchor the middle to upper weights where the bulk of the Trojans dual team strength lies.
Conversely, 21 freshman and sophomores make up the rest of the Trojans squad, and learning on the job will no doubt take place at some classes. With 30 athletes, Atlantic should fill out every weight class, but some will prove stronger areas than others.
“We’ve got some young guys who are real green,” Duff says. “But they’re working hard and listening to the coaches. As long as they keep working hard, we’ll see improvement there throughout the year.”
Hawkeye 10 Conference Outlook:
Defending Hawkeye 10 Conference champs Lewis Central should be considered the favorite to defend their crown this winter. The Titans lose some (including a state champion), but probably return more talent than anyone else.
Over his three years in Atlantic, Duff has seen Creston put together a pretty impressive run in the Hawkeye 10 and State. But this year, Creston will lose—among others—four state champions from a year ago, and will definitely take on a different look.
Although they appear to be rebuilding, Duff doesn’t figure they will lack enough muscle to compete at the top of the Hawkeye 10 again this winter.
“Creston is losing a lot of talented wrestlers,” Duff says. “But what they have coming back have been around, practicing with those guys for years, and now they get their shot. I don’t think there will be that much of a drop-off in Creston.”
Glenwood, who did their own rebuilding last season, should figure into the Hawkeye 10 Conference chase along with Atlantic.
The string of success enjoyed by the likes of Glenwood and LC, along with the tradition their represent, is also something the program in Atlantic craves.
“Those are some of the top programs in the state, and that’s where we want to be,” Duff says. “For us to get there, it comes down to working hard every day and putting 14 kids on the mat who are willing to give it their all.”
Trojans Meet The Team Night:
Monday, Dec. 1 at Atlantic High School Wrestling/Multi-Purpose Bldg.
Time: 6:30 PM
The event is open to the public and wrestle offs will finalize the season-opening lineup.
Other than those two facts, all that can be accurately said before Monday night’s wrestle-offs (6:30 p.m.at AHS) is the Trojans appear to be locked into picking up on the improvements of a year ago.
Looking to build on a 15-6 dual record from last year that served as a springboard of its own, the sport of wrestling is alive and well in Atlantic.
“We want to continue improvement not only in wins and losses, but also in effort level,” Atlantic head coach Tim Duff says. “Hopefully, up and down the varsity lineup, we’ll have 14 weight classes with guys who want to compete and have a chance to win anytime we step on the mat.”
To keep the Trojans going, the team’s seniors will be looked upon to set the bar. It’s true of every high school sport, but in wrestling—a sport that requires such dedication—senior leadership might seem to pay off a little more.
This group of senior’s is Duffs first full class, having worked with this particular staff their entire high school careers. Now that the nine juniors and seniors in the program have been through it all before, they are looked upon to lead by example.
ADVERTISEMENT |
At the top of the weight class is returning state place winner Kasey Juhl.
Coming into his senior season and second as a varsity wrestler, heavyweight Kasey Juhl has his sights set on something better than his seventh place finish at state in 2008. Duff says Juhl has come into preseason practice confident and motivated.
“He’s set some real high goals for himself,” Duff said. “But he’s got the athletic ability to reach whatever he sets his mind to if he’s willing to pay the price.”
Recently named First Team All-District and Third Team All-State for Football this fall, Juhl is big at 6-foot-5 and presumed to be somewhere below 285 pound, but also very coordinated for a big man.
Last winter, Juhl made the transition from basketball to wrestling, dropping a sport where he was the team’s leading scorer for a sport he hadn’t competed in since grade school. Joining the Trojans Wrestling squad as heavyweight, Juhl showed coordination and speed that other heavyweights lacked.
The gamble would pay off though as Juhl eventually captured the heavyweight crown at the Hawkeye 10 Wrestling Tournament and then placed seventh at the state tournament.
“You can tell that Kasey, with a year under his belt, understands his balance and positioning a lot more,” Duff says. “Hopefully, when he gets on the mat that translates to more wins and a higher finish at state.”
Joining Juhl is Josh Perkins, a Hawkeye 10 and district champion at 103 last year as a freshman. Perkins is moving up to 119 pounds but is a tireless worker, and Duff figures he’ll adjust to the bigger opponents.
“Josh has a motor, he’s a high energy kid,” Duff says. “As long as he keeps working hard, he’ll do well wherever he’s at.”
Team Goals
“When we set goals, we start with effort,” Duff says. “If they come to the room every day ready to work and go all out every practice, then all that other stuff will happen. The big thing we’re preaching right now is just getting in the room and getting after it and give it your all. If you do that, everything else will fall into place.”
Duff says he expects the upper classmen to anchor the middle to upper weights where the bulk of the Trojans dual team strength lies.
Conversely, 21 freshman and sophomores make up the rest of the Trojans squad, and learning on the job will no doubt take place at some classes. With 30 athletes, Atlantic should fill out every weight class, but some will prove stronger areas than others.
“We’ve got some young guys who are real green,” Duff says. “But they’re working hard and listening to the coaches. As long as they keep working hard, we’ll see improvement there throughout the year.”
Hawkeye 10 Conference Outlook:
Defending Hawkeye 10 Conference champs Lewis Central should be considered the favorite to defend their crown this winter. The Titans lose some (including a state champion), but probably return more talent than anyone else.
Over his three years in Atlantic, Duff has seen Creston put together a pretty impressive run in the Hawkeye 10 and State. But this year, Creston will lose—among others—four state champions from a year ago, and will definitely take on a different look.
Although they appear to be rebuilding, Duff doesn’t figure they will lack enough muscle to compete at the top of the Hawkeye 10 again this winter.
“Creston is losing a lot of talented wrestlers,” Duff says. “But what they have coming back have been around, practicing with those guys for years, and now they get their shot. I don’t think there will be that much of a drop-off in Creston.”
Glenwood, who did their own rebuilding last season, should figure into the Hawkeye 10 Conference chase along with Atlantic.
The string of success enjoyed by the likes of Glenwood and LC, along with the tradition their represent, is also something the program in Atlantic craves.
“Those are some of the top programs in the state, and that’s where we want to be,” Duff says. “For us to get there, it comes down to working hard every day and putting 14 kids on the mat who are willing to give it their all.”
Trojans Meet The Team Night:
Monday, Dec. 1 at Atlantic High School Wrestling/Multi-Purpose Bldg.
Time: 6:30 PM
The event is open to the public and wrestle offs will finalize the season-opening lineup.
 |
||
| Trojans Basketball: Large senior class expected to drive Atlantic |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of atlanticnewstelegraph.com.
Submit a Comment
We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
Please note: We provide our story commenting feature in order to solicit feedback, debate and discussion on topics of local interest. Please keep in mind that civility is a necessary component of productive conversation. All blatantly inflammatory or otherwise inappropriate comments (i.e. vulgarity, marketing, etc.) are subject to rejection and/or removal. Comments will appear if and when they are approved. Thanks for reading, and thanks for participating.
