The 2012-2013 wrestling season is about to begin again, and the stakes have never been higher for these gentlemen to make it through to state.

There are several preparations to becoming a state qualifying wrestler, all adding up to making it nearly impossible to stick with the sport.

Coach Baker and Assistant Coach Tupper push all of these boys be the best they can possibly be. It’s not just about the physical strength; it’s the mental ability to push themselves as far as they can go.

This is the last year of students who wrestled with Dan Barringer the 2010, 152-pound state champion, and the boys are eager to follow in his footsteps.

On the 2012-2013 team there are two returning state qualifiers including senior Nate Rykerd and junior Darryan Vanderpool.

“Making state again is a pretty big deal to me. To prepare I wake up and go to school by 6AM and lift weights. I rarely eat, but when I do, it is small meals and I chew a lot of gum and take a significant amount of naps,” senior Nate Rykerd said.

There are around forty wrestlers on the team this year, half of which are on the varsity team, giving the team a chance for twenty state qualifiers.

The season has high expectations, and new hopes for some champion titles.