ADM has five wrestlers competing in the district tournament this coming Saturday in Adel.  To advance to the state meet next week in Des Moines, the Tigers competing Saturday will have to finish first or second in their weight class.

Head coach Justin Schmauss reflects on how Nathan Heath (heavyweight), Trevor Harsh (132), Zach Johnston (152), Darold Baker (182) and Hunter Gibson (190) got to this point, and clues us in on what he’s stressing to his guys this week.

“It was a great day (last Saturday) for those five.  They wrestled well and you know, we have a few close calls–we had three one-point losses in the finals which was a hard pill to swallow.  But the main point at this point in the year is to keep moving forward, stay in the tournament… keep wrestling well, one match at a time and that’s really all you can do.  So we’re just focusing on the first match Saturday and going from there.”

While winning their first match to put themselves in the drivers’ seat is Schmauss’ biggest key Saturday, he also wants his wrestlers to keep things simple by utilizing their strengths.

“With each and every one of them, at this point you just have to do what’s been working for you all year.  Don’t change your style up for anybody, don’t try to make little tweaks to your game… just do what has been your best thing.”

Matches for Saturday’s district tournament begin at noon inside ADM’s North Gym.