Howell wrestling seeks to improve during competitive season
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December 13, 2011 • Blake Hansen, Staff Writer
Filed under Sports
A new season with a lot of promise is beginning for the Howell wrestling team. Coached by Dan Minock, the team is looking to achieve success, even though they are a young team.
“We need to just improve and not worry about any of the scores or anything like that,” senior Alex Calandrino says. “We’re young and we got a lot to work on. We just have to be prepared for every dual meet.”
While Brighton (#4) and Hartland (#5) are both ranked in the top ten for Division 1 wrestling in the state of Michigan, Calandrino is more focused on his team.
“Well, we always have had Hartland as a challenge and Brighton has stepped it up big time [this year],” he says. “This year I feel like is our year to just get things down and improve as a team and see what happens,” he adds.
Athletic director Mr. Dan Hutcheson is also not worried about the rankings of other teams in the division.
“I don’t think it will be any tougher than it has been in the past. I think if you’re a true competitor you want teams to be good around you because that pushes you to train and be your best,” Mr. Hutcheson says. “If you look back at the last eight or nine years, there has been years we were ranked tenth in the state but third in our division of six teams. Wrestling is very tough in this area and I think that is good for us.”
Even though this season will be just as tough as years before, senior wrestler Marcus Wendel has high hopes for the team.
“I want the team to win states this year. That is my goal coming into this season and I’m sticking with it,” he says with a bright smile on his face.
For leaders of the team, Mr. Hutcheson explains why the word leader isn’t as simple as most people think.
“Well, a leader is a tough term. When it comes to being a leader, it’s not necessarily because you’re a senior or the best wrestler,” he says. “It’s supposed to be someone who leads by example and does things right, and I think Alex [Calandrino] fits that description.”
Calandrino, who was the state runner-up at the 125 pound class, the individual goal for this year is as high as it can get.
“My goal for this year is to go undefeated and be state champion,” Calandrino says in a determined voice.
For the team to have a successful season, there are a few things the team has to do according to Mr. Hutcheson.
“Number one, they have to come together as a group. They have to work together as a team. For them to have a successful season, a lot of the young kids need to step up. They need to believe in themselves as well,” Mr. Hutcheson says. “You have to believe in yourself and believe in your team, and good things can happen for you.”
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