So far for the Wrestling 2023-24 season, the varsity girls have competed in two tournaments and recently had a big dual against Kapaun. The dual with Kapaun was big due to former wrestling coach at North High, Quinton Burgess leaving and becoming the head coach at KMC. The team fell short of points and lost 42-36, but this past weekend was a success with the girls’ team winning the Wellington invitational.

All girls who competed placed in the top 5 in the end, with Jaycee Tyler and Aariyah Jackson winning in their weight classes. Head coach Jason Storm has stated that the team is right where he anticipated, “The athletes are buying in with our vision and mindset training. In the end I think it will pay off in February,” he said.

The success at the tournament was crucial after a close loss at the home dual, it was especially tough due to Burgess being one of the first wrestling coaches for many of the girls. “When I didn’t believe in myself, he made me believe I was going to be a star athlete,” Senior Jaycee Tyler said about Burgess.  “So for him to leave us as a team, it kind of made me doubt myself athletically.”

“I think it hit a little because I was so used to having him in my corner.” Junior wrestler Nathalia Hernandez said about former coach Burgess, “This was the first time that he was on the other side of me.”

Moving forward, Tyler gives credit where it’s due to the new leadership Jason Storm conveys, “He’s very heavy on mindset training and I really appreciate that. He has set a goal for us and for our team. He wants us to win state, and everybody is working toward that. We’re really lucky and I can’t take that for granted.”

On the boys’ side, coach Storm recognize three athletes with great leadership qualities, “Tommy Shields, Noe Alvarado, and Jayden Garnes have really stepped up for the team. Noe has been a tremendous leader in the room and Tommy has been wrestling lights out. Jayden Garnes made the decision to jump from 175 lbs last year to 215 lbs. and his athleticism is unmatched at that weight.”

Overall, the girls team are back in action THIS Friday at the North invitational.