Northern Wrestling Starts Fresh

Sports

By Kyle Burch
Husky Herald Reporter

  Port Huron Northern wrestling turned a new leaf this year, as they practically started fresh. Almost a whole new roster, new coach and new program.

  They started fresh and slowly built up and developed the program throughout the year.

  Head coach Patrick Connell said “the team progressed consistently throughout the year. The program ended last season with only nine athletes. We have doubled that number in a year and introduced the sport to a much higher percentage of the school population.”

  The team has been solid in years past but of late it has hit a rough patch and went on a sort of downward spiral.

  This year was a good bounce back from that downward spiral and the team seems to be back on track.

  Mike Mahaffy (‘16) who was a captain of the team said “this was my first year wrestling but I feel that we progressed through the year and improved greatly and I am excited for next year.”

  This year was a good start up year and the team plans to keep improving. Connell says “our plan is to continually build up and improve the program. We will certainly find more success next year as we build on the foundation we built this year.”

  Ethyn Blair (‘17) who couldn't wrestle the majority of the season due to an injury is excited for next year. “This year I couldn't wrestle much due to an injury but next year I plan on bouncing back and being able to compete at a high level.”

  When asking Connell about his expectations for next year he stated “next year I expect we can double the size of the team again. We’ll continue to enhance the knowledge of our team.”

  Although the team didn't do so hot this year they are all hopeful for next year. A lot of the kids on the program are young, as they only had one senior, Brandon Leal (‘15).

  The underclassman on the team plan to keep improving and strive to get better. They want to turn the tide and develop a winning program.

  If they can get more wrestlers on the team, work hard and keep doing what they’re doing they should have a very prosperous season next year.