Hillcrest has a new head coach in Kris Wood this season.
Wood takes over a team that had one state qualifier a season ago in graduate Trevor Moore who finished 39-11 a season ago.
The Hornets had three state placers at the Ozark Conference Tournament last year. Junior Angel Diehl placed fourth at 152 pounds and is the lone returning wrestler from that group.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE WINTER PREVIEWS
“Angel is a heck of a kid, and definitely someone I expect to step up and replace Trevor as a leader of this team,” Wood said. “You simply can’t work him too hard and that’s not something you see out of 17 year olds too often. I fully expect him to be a leader of this team and an example to all the younger guys.:
Seniors Tyler Tindle and Blake Schmidt will be other leaders for the Hornets. Tindle will wrestle at 182 pounds. Schmidt will wrestle either 220 or 285 pounds. Wood thinks he could lead the team in wins. DaVontay Carter is another dangerous senior at 138 pounds.
Overall, Wood has high expectations for his new team.
“As a whole, I think we can send four guys to state which would be a big boost to the program’s visibility in the area,” Wood said. “This is just the first year so we have a long way to go before we get up to the level of some other programs in the surrounding areas, but I think this year will be one that we can use to show the value of keeping and retaining seniors in the program.”
Hillcrest opens the season on Nov. 29 at Kickapoo in a triangular with Kickapoo and Glendale.
