The West Fork boys wrestling team continues to make strides with a young squad of seven wrestlers after going 1-7 in duals in the first half of the season.
The win was 21-12 over Rockford in home triangular on December 3.
First Year Head Coach Keaton Wilson on continued development in the rebuild.
“We don’t have the numbers to win duals right now, sadly, but hopefully we’ll get there. Everybody is making improvements day by day in the room and on the mat when they get out there. Everybody is excited to compete all the time. Everybody’s keeping their weight pretty good. I am pretty happy about how the first half’s gone,” says Wilson. “It is kind of a rebuilding year, especially for my first year as coach. I understand that, everybody else understands that. I’m happy with how we’re moving forward.”
Wilson on the character and leadership of Jasper Jones, Brooks Jones and Jarren Hitzhusen.
“Jasper is a senior and can go as far this season as he wants to go, really. He has tremendous raw talent. He is always there to listen and asks questions. He’s our stud. Brooks comes in the room every day. He battles and is willing to learn. He’s really one of those guys that, as a sophomore going forward, is who I’m building this team around. He lays it all out there every time he steps on the mat. He’s not afraid to do anything. Another wrestler I want to shout out, Jarren. He hurt his knee again. He’s been in the room every day for practice. He can’t wrestle but does whatever I need him to. He’s the one that’s been recording for us. Can’t ask for a better leader than him, Jasper and Brooks.”
Jasper Jones is 8-3 at 144 with five falls, one major decision and two wins by decision, Brooks Jones is 6-8 at 138 with three falls and three wins by forfeit.
Wilson on wrestlers needing to be better in the bottom position going forward.
“We got to get our head off the mat when we’re on bottom. We got to have the first move. We’re getting rode out. When it’s our choice and we’re going down, we’re getting rode out. The bottom position is all a mentality, really. It’s up to that person. How bad do they want to get out on bottom? The little things we got to do better, keeping our head up and fighting hands right away and first move.”
West Fork’s first duals of 2025 will be part of a Top of Iowa Conference quad at Central Springs on Friday, January 3.
