Coach wishes to expand junior high wrestling program next year

Kimball’s junior high wrestling team ended the year with several grapplers placing at meets across the region.

According to head Coach Klent Schnell, the year began with 11 wrestlers, but those were quickly reduced to eight due to injuries, transfers and eligibility requirements.

The team wrestled best as a team early in the season, Schnell said, and he added, that he believes they should have about 15 young men out for wrestling in the future.

“We had some kids that have never wrestled and showed some great potential the first couple of meets,” he said.

Matthew Johnson-12-4 3rd Banner County, 1st Hemingford, 1st Morrill, 2nd Bayard

Kyle Fraser-2-13 4th Banner County, 3rd Hemingford, 4th Mitchell

Cole Heim-5-2 1st Banner County

James McGinnis-12-5 1st Banner County, 2nd Hemingford, 2nd Morrill, 2nd Mitchell

Ilian Serrano-8-7 3rd Banner County, 2nd Mitchell

Trey Schindler-16-3 2nd Banner County, 1st Hemingford, 3rd Morrill, 2nd Bayard, 1st Mitchell

Tyler Adams-1-11

Micah Dunegan-1-3 4th Bayard

“We didn’t get to hold our tournament this year, which was kind of disappointing not to showcase these young wrestler’s talent at home,” Schnell said. “I hope most of the 8th graders will decide to wrestle next year as freshman and we can get 15 or more young men to wrestle next year.”