Tigers Ready For Their Premier Season

PRESCOTT -- The WP Tigers Wrestling program is in full swing lead by head coach Lanny Adams.

There are five wrestlers competing who are starting from ground zero and have quickly learned that your body and mind must be in shape for this full-contact sport.

Veteran wrestlers who will be the core of the opening year are sophomores Dalton LaRue and Trenton Kitselman.

Kitselman is 5 feet, 8 inches and weighs 133 pounds. He's been wrestling on the Matbirds club team in Waitsburg for the last four years.

"I've faced some of the kids from the league in the past and won," said Kitselman. "I think I'll do all right."

"Kitselman is the hardest on himself," said Adams. "I want to get him aggressive and I need to light a fire under him in order to make that happen."

LaRue is 5 feet, 11 inches and weighs 167.5 pounds. He brings six years experience to the team. "He is aggressive," said Adams. "He stays focused and intense. He's really going to turn into quite the wrestler. There is just a natural way about him."

Newcomers to the sport are Jackie Garcia, Ida Ray, Samantha Delgado, Gabe Escalante and Kavin Kendall.

"Escalante has a natural ability," said Adams. "One day the light switch will come on and it's all going to hit him."

"Kendall is a thinker," said Adams. "I think he'll do well once he puts that thinking into doing."

"We are small in numbers but I think we'll surprise people," said Adams. "I'm hoping to see a trip to state with LaRue and Kitselman."

As the Tigers gear up to begin their first season, coach's old worn Asics are set aside because Kitselman plans on wearing them at the state tournament.

They have been replaced with shiny black Asics that are decked out in pink laces.

"They are the new team shoe," said Adams. "We're going to show everyone that even wrestlers are tough enough to wear pink."

The Tigers began their competitive season last Tuesday in Pomeroy. They will head to Pomeroy again Dec. 20 for an invitational meet that begins at 6 p.m.