After earning a 10th-place finish at the Class A state tournament last season, the Mitchell High School wrestling team is looking to build a strong team despite some challenges.
"We've got a young crew, and we are low on numbers," Mitchell head coach Travis Carpenter said. "The kids we have are working hard and doing a good job for us."
The program has 20 kids out for wrestling this season with around 10 kids new to the sport, Carpenter said.
With so many additions, Carpenter said it's important for his team to work hard early in the season..
"We need to work on the basics, especially with the new kids," Carpenter said. "We've got to teach something on their feet, something on the bottom and something on top."
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While Mitchell may have plenty of new faces hitting the mat this year, several veterans return. The Kernels, who qualified nine for the state tournament last year, look to get full seasons out of seniors Landon Neugebauer, Ethan Parr and Robert McCardle. Senior Matt Larson, who took sixth at last year's state tournament, suffered a broken lower left leg that was surgically repaired during a football game on Sept. 19 in Spearfish. Carpenter did not know when or if Larson would be able to come back for the Kernels.
Neugebauer finished in third place at 138 pounds last season, while Parr took fourth at 145. McCardle has qualified for the state tournament at heavyweight for the past four years.
"If they don't come to practice ready to go, we will be in trouble," Carpenter said. "We need to work hard every chance we get. I want our guys to work hard every day, get better each day and do what they have to do in order to improve."
The Kernels also return eighth-grader Carson Max, senior Tanner Vilhauer and freshman Briggs Havlik.
Mitchell opens its season by hosting Pierre in an Eastern South Dakota Conference dual at 7 p.m. on Friday in Mitchell.
"We're looking forward to jumping on the mat," Carpenter said. "We'll get our guys ready for the first match."
