The “Wrestle-Offs” marked the official start to the season for the wrestling team Friday night as they gear up for the start of intercollegiate play. With a relatively young core of wrestlers, following the loss of key senior starters from last year’s squad, the team looks to surprise their competition and contend with the best teams in the country.

“Wrestle-offs are a good way to see how guys compete differently in a competitive environment as opposed to the practice room,” assistant coach Jim Heffernan said. “Since it’s an intersquad meet where they wrestle their own teammates, it’s a good way to start preparing for real competition.”

Though the team fields only two senior starters, junior Gabe Flores does not believe a lack of experience will have a hindering effect on the outcome of the season.

“We’re not too far out there,” Flores said. “We’re a young team, but if we wrestle tough, like coach has been training us to do, I think we’ll be right in there with Michigan and Minnesota.”

Much of the team’s preseason training has been centered on helping the younger wrestlers reach the next competitive level, and the majority of that assistance is coming courtesy of the coaches and veteran team members.

John Dergo, one of many talented wrestlers head coach Mark Johnson landed in his most recent recruiting effort, foresees his fellow freshmen having a strong positive influence on the team’s performance in the upcoming season.

“I think we can have a big impact this year,” Dergo said. “We’re getting a lot of help from the coaches and the more experienced wrestlers. It’s all about discipline and being on time. The coaches and older guys are really putting their foot down and making discipline a big part of the program.”

With “Wrestle-Offs” behind them, the team is now preparing for the upcoming Missouri Open on Nov. 19 and the University of Northern Iowa Open on Dec. 3. Though strong performances in such tournaments will be readily welcomed, the players and coaches know the conference and national competitions at the season’s end will truly decide the level of success the team experiences this year.

“Getting some of the freshmen ready for Big Ten’s and nationals is going to take some work,” Flores said. “Some of us have already been to those tournaments and being healthy and prepared for them is very important because they’re really all that counts.”

Until then, the coaches and players know exactly what they have to do in order to be fully equipped to succeed on the national level.

“Our focus at this point is getting better everyday,” Heffernan said. “I’m not worried about results right now. If we’re doing the right things and working hard, good things will happen.”