November 18 started the first day of wrestling practice for the shared program between the O'Neill Eagles and St. Mary's Cardinals. From the very beginning the team looked to be the strongest it has been since the new coach, Todd Ascherl, took over three years ago. St. Mary's contributed three strong individuals who have earned their spot of recognition on the team.

Freshman Shane Isom started his wrestling career on November 18 and has since turned out to be a quick learner and an excellent athlete. Although he has not found a spot on the seasoned varsity squad, he undoubtedly will make a huge impact in the years to come.

Tyler Cole started his junior season taking the championship honors at the O'Neill Invitational, which is our first home event. Tyler then won his match at the Madison dual against Ross Brom. At the Newman Grove Invite, Tyler pinned all three of his opponents to place first. Tyler suffered his first loss of the year when he moved down to 119 to wrestle against the number 1 class C state ranked Randy Reinke in the dual against Neligh. Tyler not only rebounded from that loss to take second place at the Valentine Invite, he also revenged his loss to Randy Reinke. After the Christmas break, Tyler came back strong, winning the Aquinas Invite. At the Boone Central Dual, Tyler again won by a pin, thus setting his record good enough to garnish the first round seed at the Elkhorn Invite where he also took first place. As we move into the final stages of the season, Tyler has poised himself for a place in the record book by being one of the top five ranked wrestlers in the state at his weight class. If he keeps the intensity up, he will most assuredly place at the State competition.

The lone senior, Tim Krugman has shown his athletic ability by wrestling at the 215 pound weight class and yet only weighing in at 185 pounds. This means at every match he is giving up over 30 pounds to his opponents and yet this has not diminished his record. At the O'Neill Invite Tim had to learn how to control his opponents extra weight, his efforts were still good enough to earn him a third place medal. At the Neligh dual Tim defeated Joey Cornett by a major decision of 13 to 3, he then turned in another win at the Boone Central Dual defeating Derek Kaup by a score of 7-2. At this point, Tim comes off with a big finish at the Elkhorn invite taking the second place medal. Since this is his last year, Tim has totally committed himself towards that road to state competition. The sting of last year's heartbreaking double overtime loss still rings in his ears pushing him towards that goal of being a state placer