Two new gyms and a wrestling room were far from the new and improved amenities featured in the new building. For the girls’ and boys’ wrestling teams, everything changed when the new wrestling space was first unveiled. The new wrestling addition is now designed specifically for the wrestlers and their needs, whereas at the old building, the room would be shared throughout the baseball and softball teams, and was used for other school events.

“Since we had to share the room with them, we never really got to roll the mats up, which was definitely not great,” head coach Chris Brown said. “That also meant there was a batting cage in there which took up a lot of space.”

Because the room was crowded and could be occupied by multiple different activities, the wrestlers were elated when they heard that they would have a room all to themselves. Hopes were high as the move occurred.

The wrestling mats could stay on the floor and they didn’t have to worry about distractions. Even though the room was smaller in width and height, it made it easier for the coaches to watch and allowed them to be more involved and available to watch all players.

“The ceiling is low so it makes the room feel smaller,” sophomore Wyatt Dannegger said. “But I think the room is going to positively affect me because I am going to be closer to my teammates physically and socially.”

The new room had its advantages, but some players’ expectations were not met. The old room was big enough to hang awards and accolades from past wrestlers throughout the program which, for many, was motivating. But, with the size of the new room, it doesn’t allow for those players to receive that recognition. The old facility also had a rope that the athletes could climb, and a door for when the room got too hot. Whereas now, those additions are not carried on to the new school.

“I feel like if I reach my hands up, I could touch the ceiling which might be a problem,” junior Maddy Howell said, “Even though I haven’t had to wrestle very competitively in there yet, the circulation was definitely something that I was worried about for the get-go.”

Even though the room has its pros and cons, and different opinions from players, the room can also help the wrestlers improve their strength as a team not just physically, but mentally as well.

“I think it could bring up our team because it will help us all get close,” junior Aubrey Peterson said. “You always need to have that bond throughout your team cause it really can help your team on and off the mat.”

This year the Knights look to gain strength from that and hit some big goals for this season. One of those is to beat Howell and Howell Central. Others include having at least one state champion and being at least the top two in their district.

“I am really excited for this season because we have more girls than we have ever had,” assistant coach Sean Fowler said. “It’s going to be fun to have a lot more of a group that we haven’t had before.”

This story was originally published on FHNtoday.com on December 17, 2024.