MILL CREEK
The numbers are up and that should translate into a bright future for the Jackson wrestling team.
Under second-year head coach Gustavo Anaya, turnout is into the upper 60s, an increase from last year when the Wolfpack finished with about 45 wrestlers.
In many respects the upcoming season is going to be a learning experience.
Just how green the Timberwolves are was evident in a non-conference dual meet against Juanita.
“I think we had a freshman or a sophomore in six or seven weights,” Anaya said. “So we’re still fairly young.”
This past fall Anaya was an assistant freshman football coach and that proved invaluable in helping to attract 18 freshmen to the wrestling team.
“That’s huge,” Anaya said of his freshman class. “Five of them are in the varsity lineup right now.”
Jackson does have some experience back in a pair of regional qualifiers — senior Kyle Meakins (152 pounds) and sophomore Thomas Hall (119/125).
Meakins is looking forward to the season.
“I think it’s going to shape up really well,” he said. “I’ve done a lot of hard work. A lot of the guys are pushing me and I’m pushing them.”
Despite his relatively slender, at least by football standards, 152-pound frame, Meakins earned second-team, all-Western Conference South Division football honors as a defensive lineman.
His all-league recognition is indicative of Meakins’ determination.
“He was a nose guard even though he weighs about 150 pounds,” Anaya said. “That kind of shows what kind of work ethic he has.”
Meakins spent a lot of time in the weight room and also working on his conditioning.
The key to his success on the mat is wearing down his opponent, Meakins said.
“He’s just quick,” Anaya added. “He never stops wrestling and continues to go from whistle to whistle.”
Anaya will be looking to Meakins to help guide his younger teammates. They would do well to emulate the Jackson senior standout.
“He’s a hard worker and goes above and beyond for the wrestling program,” Anaya said.
Hall is coming off a successful freshman season and is setting his sights higher. He also has been hitting the weights and running.
“It was pretty cool to go there (regionals), but this year I have to go farther,” Hall said. “I know I need to work harder than everybody else. I can’t just push myself as hard as the rest of the team. I need to push myself as hard as I think my opponents are going to, and possibly harder.”
Anaya sees Hall’s work ethic as his biggest strength. The time spent in the weight room definitely should benefit Hall out this season, Anaya said.
“He’s gained some strength that will help him this year,” Anaya said. “I think he’ll probably end up at 119 pounds this year, which would be huge. He’ll be a good-sized 119-pounder. He’s got the technique and the background. He’s been wrestling for a while.
“He’s got good grades in the classroom. He’s the true student-athlete.”
If there is a strength in the Jackson lineup, it’s in the middle weights. In addition to Meakins, Jackson will look to sophomore Michael Shapiro (130), junior Mason Mazza (140) and senior Andrew Lucero (152) to score points.
Shapiro, Mazza and Lucero all were alternates to regionals last season.
Another top returner is senior heavyweight Tyler Rathbun, who may end up at 215.
“He’s also one of our stronger wrestlers,” Anaya said. “He hit the weight room pretty heavy this summer. He’s put on a lot of muscle that will help him whether I put him at 215 or at heavyweight. He should do well this year.”
As for the rest of the Wolfpack lineup, youth is definitely the trend at the lower weight classes. Freshmen are wrestling at 103, 112, 130 and 135.
“Our future is going to look pretty good,” Anaya said.
Meakins hasn’t lowered his expectations for Jackson even though the Wolfpack are young and inexperienced.
“Everyone needs to work together, always have a positive attitude and get it done,” Meakins said.
“We have nothing to lose this year,” Hall added. “Basically, they (freshmen) are just going to have to work harder and hopefully they will.”
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