A new season of Adel-Desoto-Minburn Tigers wrestling begins after school today with the first official practice of the season. A familiar face takes over the Tigers wrestling program as longtime ADM middle school, and varsity assistant coach Chris Hatchitt is embarking on his first varsity head coaching opportunity. Hatchitt has been the middle school coach at ADM since 2000 and says he’s worked with over 80 percent of the wrestlers who’ve shown interest in the program before today’s first practice.

Hatchitt runs us through what the ADM wrestlers will endure in their first week of practice. “Let’s just say it’ll be intesnse. I’ve had this mentality ever since I’ve started coaching, it’s hustle and effort, and physical and aggressive, that’s how we wrestle here at ADM.” Hatchitt said, “You’ll see that this season and we will start off day one, right after my coach speech, with an intense (workout).”

The Tigers are expected to bring back a pair of wrestlers who’ve qualified twice for the Iowa State Wrestling tournament. Juniors Andrew Flora and Nolan Harsh have advanced to the Well each of their first two varsity wrestling seasons. Flora made it to the podium last year at 106 pounds, finishing in fourth place. Harsh qualified at 138 pounds but was eliminated on the first day of the tournament. ADM’s first competition of the season is Thursday, November 30, hosting North Polk and Ballard in dual action.