Wrestlers place ninth in first tournament

On Saturday Dec. 7, the Altoona Wrestling team traveled to Huntington to compete in the Huntington tournament. 

Thirty-one athletes traveled to compete against other schools and brought home a ninth place win.

“We are a young team that doesn’t have a lot of experience but to go out and take ninth place in our first big tournament, it means a lot and could help us in the future,” ninth grade wrestler Michael Riccio said.

The team was able to see what was to come ahead of them and what they needed to prepare for.

“I feel like this could be a really good season, and we could go really far if we just keep working for it,” ninth grade wrestler Mason Walk said.

Wrestlers were able to find out what they had to do to win future matches.

“We all put in our equal amounts of effort. Some go above others because their main goals are different than others,” eighth grade wrestler Hayden Speece said.

Practicing ten hours a week can impact grades and sleep habits.

“It keeps my grades up because I have to have the eligibility to be able to wrestle,” ninth grade wrestler Ian Kennedy said.

Wrestlers have prepared for the season by participating in other sports.

“Football prepares me for the wrestling season and the wrestling season prepares me for football,” Kennedy said.

Cameron Kyle coaches the wrestling team and was a former wrestler himself.

“Wrestling has developed with great wrestlers coming and going with new and different perspectives,” Kyle said.

The wrestlers are currently preparing for upcoming matches, duels and tournaments.