WCV

Monday began a new chapter of West Central Valley varsity wrestling with a fresh voice leading the way. Ben Strandberg, a northwest Iowa native, brings years of coaching and personal wrestling experience with him to Stuart. During his four years leading the Sibley-Ocheyedan General’s varsity wrestling program, Strandberg sent 34 wrestlers to the state tournament with 15 coming home with medals. The Raccoon Valley Radio Network had Strandberg as a guest on Monday’s Wahl McAtee Tire and Service Center Guthrie County PM Sports Page. He says higher numbers in West Central Valley’s wrestling program will change his preseason practice plans. “With (roughly) 26 kids, I’m going to have a lot more wrestle offs than I’ve ever had,” Strandberg said, “That’s something we need to get ironed out before our first meet of the season.”

Strandberg shared during his time at Sibley-Ocheyedan, he’d average around 15 to 16 kids going out for wrestling each year. Today marks day three of preseason practice for the West Central Valley Wildcats wrestling team under the direction of Strandberg. The first dual meet of the 2018-19 season for West Central Valley takes place Thursday, November 29, hosting a quadrangular event with AC/GC, East Union, and Nodaway Valley in Stuart.