Jesse McCann’s message to his Nodaway Valley wrestling team for the 2019-20 season is a simple one.
“We’re looking forward to the continuation of building this program to excel in wrestling,” McCann said. “We want to take another step in our program, and the student athletes are realizing that anybody can beat anybody on any given day; therefore, how you train and what you put in will most likely show the outcome of the match.The student athletes are determined and are putting in the hard work to be successful wrestlers and role models for our future high school wrestlers.”
The Wolverines have a lot of varsity mat time returning this year. State qualifier Elliot Cooney will lead NV. Cooney lost just five matches all year a season ago. Cooney won tournament titles at the Coach Riley Invitational, the Lenox Invitational and was also a POI champion in his freshman year. Cooney finished last season first on the team with 25 pins and third on the team with 36 takedowns.
Ben Breheny had 25 takedowns and 20 near falls, to go along with his 11 pins.
Jaxon Christensen had 19 takedowns, 14 escapes and 13 hear falls, while Jevin Christensen finished with 12 takedowns and six pins.
Jordan Brewer was second on the team with 24 escapes. He also had 17 takedowns and 10 near falls.
Caelen DeVault led the Wolverines with 28 escapes and finished fourth on the team with 26 takedowns. DeVault also recorded 10 pins.
Colby Harris returns for his senior campaign. Harris had 20 escapes a season ago.
Ryan Wilson recorded 10 takedowns and had seven near falls on the year. Austin Wilson was second on the team with 43 takedowns. He also recorded 19 escapes, was first on the team with 13 reversals and finished with 10 near falls.
Tyler Breheny finished the year with 22 takedowns, 17 escapes and nine pins. Jory Christensen had 19 takedowns, nine reversals, nine near falls and 10 pins.
The status of four wrestlers, as to when they see the mat, is up in the air. Cooney, DeVault, Austin Wilson and Jory Christensen were all injured during the football season.