Plains/Hot Springs wrestlers kick off practices

PLAINS/HOT SPRINGS – The Plains and Hot Springs high schools will be joining forces this year, presenting a united co-op wrestling team as they shoot for the championships.

There are 10 kids on the team this year, mostly from Plains but with two from the Hot Springs schools. They are spread fairly evenly across years, but according to Head Coach Kenny Marjerrison all are very experienced wrestlers; he noted even the younger freshmen have good wrestling experience under their belts.

“All of them know how to wrestle, which is nice,” he said. “We’re gonna be starting right in the thick of things.”

One wrestler will be joining practices a little late due to an injury. Otherwise, the team as it currently stands is what will be competing in this year’s matches. Marjerrison said they never have kids join mid-season.

“Once in awhile we see kids start who don’t finish, who are new to the sport, but I don’t see that with any of these kids,” the coach said. “All of them know the drill and what’s expected of them.”

The coach is confident this will be a good year for the team. According to Marjerrison, most of this year’s members have been to Divisional and State competitions before; he also noted those who have not been to State have wrestled at very high levels in the past.

As a result, there are high hopes for several of the wrestlers to get state championships this year.

Practices just started last week, but they are jumping right in and preparing for the season. This includes figuring out their ideal weight classes and hitting the weight room to make sure everyone is in top shape for competition.

The first wrestling match is not until the second week in December. The team will go to Superior on December 12 for the Superior Invitational; the time has not been released and the schedule is subject to change.

More information about the Plains/Hot Springs co-op wrestling team can be found at plainswrestling.net.