By Roger Gordon

Correspondent

The Field boys wrestling team will try to improve on last year’s 2-5 Metro Athletic Conference record with, in the words of ninth-year head coach Dave Tenney, “a good group of seasoned wrestlers. This group of wrestlers has a go-get-’em attitude. They are dedicated to the sport, have a strong work ethic on the mat and in the classroom, and this makes them outstanding leaders and role models. I’m very excited for this season.”

The Falcons will attempt to withstand the losses to graduation of letterwinners LJ Riley, Brady McCoy, William Nienhius and Mason Long.

The lighter weights will be led by returning lettermen Broc Sclimenti, Spencer Hunt, Owen Wymer and Garrett Smith.

“These young guys come to us with quite a bit of wrestling experience, and I’m veryexcited to see them pushing each other to get better,” Tenney, who is now in his 22nd season as a high school head coach overall, said. “We have added a few new faces in A.J. Fruedeman and Dylan Wymer. They are working hard and coming along quickly.”

The middleweights will be anchored by Joe D’Amico and Carter White.

“Joe is coming off a solid junior season and has put a lot of time in training in the off-season. He is ready to get back to the district tournament,” Tenney said. “Carter has a very successful junior season under his belt and is looking to pick up where he left off.”

The Falcons have a lot of experience in the upperweights, with returning lettermen led by Dan Hudson. Hudson is looking to find his way to the top of the podium this year.

“Dan did a lot of summer wrestling getting ready for his junior year,” said Tenney.

Blake Dunderman is hoping to jump back in and pick up where he left off after losing a year to injury. Field is expecting a lot from underclassmen Caleb Shultz and Braylan Rufener

“Caleb and Braylan have grown in the sport,” the coach said, “and have great attitudes going into the season.”

Other returning lettermen are Lincoln Barnes and Seth Dickson.

Tenney, whose assistant coach is T.J. Fox, believes his wrestlers staying healthy and staying strong in the classroom are keys this season for the Falcons.

“This season would be successful if these guys can work up to the potential they have,” he said. “Each wrestler has set individual goals on paper, and if we can meet those it will be a successful year.”

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As for the first edition of the Field girls wrestling team, head coach Mason Brainard said there is a lot of excitement around the program, which will have around nine girls competing.

“Everyone is eager to learn, compete and is improving every day,” he said. “All of the girls have a strong work ethic, great attitudes and are pushing each other every day to get better. We expect everyone to play a big role on the team.”

The Falcons will “field” one senior, two juniors and a handful of underclassmen.

Brainard’s assistant coach is Clark Bookman.

Read more about the girls wrestling team here.