The Olds High School wrestling team is getting ready for its first tournament of the season.
They travel to Wetaskiwin this weekend for a tournament Dec. 7 and 8.
So far, 11 students have come out for wrestling practices. Head coach George Grant says that's up a bit from previous years. This year, student wrestlers range from Grade 9 to Grade 12. Three of the athletes are girls.
"I've got three returning veterans and the other eight are all newbies coming out to give wrestling a go," Grant says.
Grant says it's too early to assess the potential of this group.
"It's a little too early to say, but the kids are all coming in, working hard," he says.
They have to get up early. Practices run from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays.
Grant has changed how he runs those practices this year.
"Instead of doing one move one day, another move the next day, we're just concentrating on getting a little more comfortable with each move, and if that takes two or three days, well, we're not going to be too worried about it," he says.
"(We're) just trying to get the finishing touches on these moves now, instead of waiting for a couple of weeks like we used to.
"It's just a different philosophy of teaching it. I thought I'd give it a try this year and so far I'm impressed with it and the kids are really responding to it," Grant adds.
"It's a win-win situation. It's a little bit easier for me, the kids can see what's going on and ask lots of questions, they get lots of repetition with it and starting to build their muscle memory banks as they continue forward."
Grant says the Wetaskiwin tournament will be a good way to assess the team; how much the athletes have learned.
"That'll be a good measuring stick because that's kind of the first tournament of the year so we'll take a look at how we're doing and then we can build upon there," he says.
"And then we've got one more tournament before the Christmas break so we'll be able to, again, keep working on the skill that I'm trying to develop. And as long as the kids are having fun and are working hard, that's all I've ever asked from them."
Grant says there's still room for more students to join the wrestling team.
"The more the merrier," he says.
