High school wrestling practice for the Greene County Rams started on Monday of this week and head coach Zach Beekman, assistant coach Kirk Davis, and others in the room can tell there’s a different feel. Over the decades, there have been seasons where the Rams returned a State Tournament qualifier, maybe even a place winner or two, but the preseason for 2021-22 has more State Tournament experience than at the start of any other season for a Jefferson-based wrestling program.

Before this season, the Rams never had a season where a State champion from the previous season was back. Now, there are two, and both are juniors. McKinley Robbins has a 7-12 career record for Greene County and two State finals appearances, finishing second in 2020 and first in 2021. Robbins won the Class 2A crown at 120 lbs. as a sophomore. Kale Petersen won the 1A title at 106 lbs. last season for West Fork (Sheffield) and is now a Greene County student. He’ll be eligible to wrestle for the Rams some time in January.

Other State experience returns in senior Brenner Gallagher, who was a top 12 finisher at the 2020 State Tournament, and sophomore Gavin Scheuermann returns after qualifying for State last season. There are other former District qualifiers in the room as well, and some of the freshmen and sophomores have noteworthy credentials coming through the Youth wrestling ranks.

The Rams open the season on Tuesday, Nov. 30 in Van Meter vs. the host Bulldogs, the Ogden Bulldogs, and PCM’s Mustangs.