Three seniors lead Wauneta-Palisade wrestling

    The Wauneta-Palisade wrestlers were blessed to have three experienced seniors leading the way for the team this season.
    Cole Hamilton went 14-19 at 220 lbs.
    WP Coach Danny Schluckebier said Hamilton buckled down and did what he needed to do to get better this year.
    Hamilton’s practices and attitude improved, Schluckebier said.
    “They all love the sport but I think Cole improved the most. He knew what needed to be done and what to do to complete it. He was always ready with a joke to cheer someone up and had a great disposition towards any outcome,” Schluckebier said.
    Cody Holmes got off to a little bit of a late start, but finished the year 10-13 at 195 lbs. and made the trip to Omaha, one of his goals.
    Schluckebier said Holmes has always been a hard worker and never backed down from a challenge.
    Holmes has also helped with the junior high team and worked well in the welding shop with Schluckebier.
    “He wrestles aggressively and knows when to use his strength,” Schluckebier said, adding Holmes has a great attitude.
    Hunter Miner didn’t hit the mats until January after a foot injury sidelined him for nearly two months and finished the season 15-9.
    Like Holmes, Schluckebier said Miner, who served as the team’s captain, has been crucial in helping with the junior high wrestlers the last three years and is also a great help in the classroom
    “He started wrestling this season later in the year after his injury healed up a bit and came out pretty good, only losing in the heartbreak round at districts. His morale throughout the season has always been great,” Schluckebier said.
    Seven other wrestlers saw action this year, including sophomore Conner Bryner, who finished the season 40-16 and was one win short of earning a medal at the state meet.
    Schluckebier emphasized the potential of five wrestlers coming back next year.
    Derik Kennicutt, Ethan Carl, Trey McCrumb, Coleman Chism and Justin Warembourg will do well next year with this year’s experience and another year in the weight room, Schluckebier said.
    Schluckebier also expects an experienced group of incoming freshman to impact next year’s team.
    Schluckebier said the best part of the season is being with the students when they are having fun doing something they love.
    After Holmes’ first loss in Omaha, Schluckebier was surprised that the senior was still happy to be at the state meet.
    Schluckebier said that helped him realize that students just need to be encouraged and pointed in the right direction.
    “Wrestling is a tough sport and to have a love for it takes a different kind of ability, I think. It is a team sport with individual performance, and I think that makes it so much different and exciting,” Schluckebier said.
    Losing three seniors that have wrestled for four years means WP will lose leadership and experience heading into next year, but Schluckebier said the Broncos are motivated to get stronger in the off season by making time for the sport they love and taking time to make themselves better student athletes.