Grapplers ready for opener against Ronan

| November 29, 2007 11:00 PM

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

The Whitefish High School wrestling team, under the direction of new head coach Ryan Hoffman, is gearing up for their first showdown at home against Ronan on Friday, Nov. 30 (tomorrow).

"Ronan is traditionally solid," Hoffman said while lacing up his shoes last week before a practice. "But we don't really know much about anybody. We don't really know what to expect, but our conference is tough. There are a lot of good kids all the way around."

Hoffman, who wrestled for five years at Chadron State college in Nebraska, said his team may take a while to get up to full speed this year.

"We're just trying to knock the dust off right now," he said. "We've got a long ways to go. I think the kids are pretty positive."

Hoffman said that although a season of wrestling isn't a bowl of cherries for the students, it has its rewards.

"Wrestling's tough. There's going to be kids that break every night. You just have to come back the next day and try to have fun with it," he said. "It teaches you discipline, it teaches you self-control, it teaches you everything."

There are 15 weight classes in wrestling, from the 98 pounds to the over-215 heavyweight class, and Hoffman said his 11 kids, with five seniors, run the gamut.

"(Senior) Kevin McDowell will probably wrestle heavyweight," Hoffman said. "The middleweights, from 135-160 pounds, are the more competitive weight classes."

Hoffman said he's talked to his kids about dieting and keeping their bodies hydrated so they can maintain their energy levels.

"I would say just eating a balanced diet is very important," he said.

From his years as a college wrestler and an assistant coach, Hoffman said he knows a thing or two about technique.

"Neutral wrestling wins and loses matches," he said. "Neutral means on your feet. You have to go hard, and you gotta win the battle on your feet."

The boys take on Ronan at the Whitefish High School at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, then travel to Polson for a tournament at 9 a.m. the next day.