A new wrestling season is about to begin for the Highland Huskies. The Highland boys are coming off a fourth-place finish in the Southeast Iowa Super Conference and hoping to have similar success while replacing graduate Luke Guseman, last year’s lone state qualifier.

Among the returners are junior Brock Thomann, who had a 31-17 record at 132 pounds last season, and sophomore Tyler Pierson, who went 34-12 in his debut campaign at 113.

Huskies head coach Nick Cole tells KCII Sports that the pair has immense promise, as they had plenty of success while still getting adjusted to the speed and strength of varsity competition.

“It was kind of a culture shock.” Cole says. “For Tyler especially, he did have to manage some weight [and] he did a great job with that towards the end [of the season]. I think that helped with his wrestling. Same with Brock, once he got into a groove and became confident in his abilities. [We are] looking for them to lead the program and take us hopefully deep to the postseason.”

The Highland girls also lose their only state qualifier in Angelina Roling, and while the Huskies do have Chloe Sexton back after winning 21 bouts as a freshman at 190 lbs, head coach Erin Bramble tells KCII Sports there will mostly be athletes on this squad eager to finally show what they can do at the varsity level.

“Most of my wrestlers have wrestled previous to coming to high school,” Bramble says, “so they know what to expect when they walk in the room. We’re still doing things in the room to improve.”

The Highland girls will have their first wrestling meet of the season this coming Monday at Cardinal of Eldon. Meanwhile, the boys will first hit the mat December 3rd in Washington.