The 2021-22 wrestling campaign commences tonight in Riverside with Highland hosting a quadrangular that will also feature Washington to kick off the season. 

The Nick Cole era starts up for the Huskies with the 2000 Highland graduate taking over head coaching duties after the departure of Derick Ball. Cole won a state title for the Huskies his senior year and has been an assistant coach for the team. Highland will be headlined by Easton Schlabaugh and Carlos Valenzuela after a strong 2020-21 winter. Schlabaugh placed fifth in the state at 106 lbs and Valenzuela collected a 26-10 record at 126 lbs. The duo are ranked second and 12th at their respective weight classes in the IAwrestle.com preseason poll. The girls program continues to grow as well with six out this year. 

The numbers are back up for Washington this winter headlined by a pair of upperclassmen that were out last year due to injury. Junior Brayden Hartman is back after qualifying for state his freshman year at heavyweight with a 25-13 record. Logan Frazer is the lone senior and saw limited action his sophomore year at 160 lbs and this winter he will compete at 182 lbs.  

HLV and Iowa Valley are the other teams competing in Riverside for the quadrangular meet. All of the action begins at 6 p.m.