Experience leads Dragons on the wrestling mats

    Eleven members, including predominantly upperclassmen and seven returning letterwinners, comprise the Holyoke High School wrestling team, which will open its season Saturday, Dec. 1, at the St. Francis, Kansas, Invite.
    Leading the team as returning letterwinners are seniors Jesus Trejo and Jessy Mosqueda; and juniors Luis Chafino, Deacon Dittmer, Remington Hielscher, Andy Lopez and Anthony Rojo.
    Also on the team are senior Jacky Mosqueda, junior Nain Vasquez and sophomores Serina Almeida and Carlos Ruiz.
    Trejo is a three-time state qualifier, and Chafino competed at state last year, as well.
    Coach Dusty McConnell feels he has a strong team that will do well this year. He noted the strongest competition will be Wray, who won the 2A state championship last year.
    Most of the Dragons have experience on the mats, and McConnell looks forward to helping them hone their skills.
    The team is also pleased to welcome Parker Redfern as the assistant coach for the season. Redfern, a 2012 HHS graduate, was a state qualifier in his high school wrestling career.
    Prior to the holiday break in December, the Dragons will wrestle in Kimball, Nebraska, and Brush, as well as the season opener in St. Francis. McConnell said he feels these are good tournaments to get the season started.

The full article is available in our e-Edition. Click here to subscribe.