With the first wrestling practice of the year approaching on Nov. 18, wrestlers have been working hard preparing for the season, ahead of the first practice.

Sophomore Logan Booth is one such wrestler. “I do a lot of lifting and running to get in shape…I also attended preseason wrestling; it’s not super hard; it’s about brushing up on your wrestling skills,” he said.

There is a lot of work that goes into wrestling physically, but wrestlers also need to be prepared mentally. They do this by watching films of their own matches or studying opponents’ wrestling styles. “I watch film to see what my opponent typically does, and to find out where I need to improve my technique,” junior Tilken Fruhwirth said.

According to Coach Andrew Aukes, wrestlers need “a fair share of physical and mental preparation. Physically it helps at the beginning of the year by being able to wrestle for 6 minutes or more with overtime. The mental side is also huge because you could beat yourself before you even go out on the mat, or you could win a match you never thought you’d win as long as you’re mentally in it.”