The Etowah wrestling team has been undefeated this year, earning high placements in almost every tournament they have competed in so far.  Due to Coach Wingard’s recruitment of many skilled Etowah athletes, the 2021 winter wrestling season has improved significantly from last year.

“Our team could barely fill the roster last year, and now we have almost sixty kids,” Tyler Videkovich, senior co-captain,  said.

Wingard brought on experienced staff in hope of introducing a new perspective for the athletes. Coach Decker, one of the new additions to the team this year, is a two time New Hampshire (NH) state wrestling champion and a NH state wrestling coach of the year. Wingard also added two Etowah alumni and national collegiate wrestling association (NCWA) champions, Coach Lutz and Coach Rechsteiner.

“We are improving and learning from a lot of new and experienced coaches,” Tyler Gorman, senior  co-captain, said.

The team has been given the opportunity to use their skills to coach elementary and middle school kids after practice. Wrestling with the younger students and demonstrating proper techniques is a way for the group to make a big impact on the developing team, while also implementing moves that they were executing minutes before.

“Coach Wingard is more willing to let experienced guys get in on coaching, and I think that has made a big impact on the newer guys’ development,” Nathan Payton, sophomore, said.

One can find out when the next Eagles wrestling tournament here.