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First, hopefully the video is embedded on this page somewhere. If not, my computer knowledge has failed us so please follow this link to see Clayton Bogner win his scrimmage bout.
Now, as far as my initial reaction to the event — I was impressed.
I know, Lansing wrestling being good is a shock to everyone, but quite honestly I was expecting at least some sort of drop off after graduating so many quality wrestlers from last year’s state team.
But really, it seemed like nothing changed. There were the mainstays, Bo Pursel and Litton VanDerWerff, who both dominated.
Yet then I got to see some of the new faces and they were just as impressive. The talent is there, especially within some of the underclassmen, so I think the key to the Lions' season will be how they adjust to high-end varsity competition.
If the underclassmen can become seasoned without getting overwhelmed, I would not be surprised to see them once again be a top-five team as state. On the other hand, the younger guys must adjust to its quicker, stronger opponents or the lineup will simply have to many holes in it.
It will be exciting to follow their progress.
On a completely different note — the Pleasant Ridge wrestling squad is going to be good as well. I got to watch them on Tuesday also and they are loaded thanks to a quality junior and freshmen class.
For them, I think the key to success will be leadership, just like their head coach Darren Weber predicted.
They will need individual leaders to step up and guide the younger grapplers to reach their potential. Leadership on and off the mat will be vital.
P.S. — I have not seen the Leavenworth or Immaculata squads in action yet, so that’s why I don’t have any thoughts to present. Once I do get a first-hand look, I will pass along my insights.
Brent Lager joined the Leavenworth Times in 2010 after a year and a half of covering high school sports for the Platte County Citizen. Before that, he previously worked for the Columbia Missourian as well as Cumulus Broadcasting in Columbia, Mo.
